The 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup open division qualifying tournament wraps up this weekend with 14 games played across the country. 28 amateur teams will battle for 14 spots in the 105th edition of the tournament for a chance to earn a shot at the pros next year.

This is the third and final round of this new qualifying tournament that was launched three years ago by the US Soccer Federation. The new format welcomes all amateur teams that compete in US Soccer-sanctioned leagues (National leagues like the Premier Development League and the National Premier Soccer League base their qualifying on the previous season’s results) to sign up and compete in a single-elimination tournament.

Of those 28 teams left, they feature a former US Open Cup champion, one of the oldest active clubs in the country, teams that have upset professional sides, six from the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), and 15 squads that have never qualified for the competition before. In fact, six of the 14 games will be between teams who have never qualified, meaning there will be a minimum of six first-timers in the 2018 US Open Cup.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results

There will be teams competing this weekend who have made a name for themselves in the last few years. Teams that have upset pro teams and made memorable Cinderella runs. Those teams include Christos FC (Baltimore, Md.), La Maquina (Los Angeles, Calif.), Harpo’s FC (Boulder, Colo.), Chula Vista FC (Chula Vista, Calif.), North Texas Rayados (Dallas, Tx.) and Lansdowne Bhoys FC (New York City).

But which teams will survive Win & You’re In Weekend? TheCup.us will have reporters at every game, so you can follow updates as they happen on TheCup.us Twitter account this weekend (@USOpenCup). Fans who are attending games, be sure to use the hashtag #USOC2018 to share photos, videos and more.

Results will be posted on the 2018 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results page.

Let’s take a look at each game (All Times Eastern):

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Indios Denver FC (USASA/UPSL)

at

FC Denver (USSSA/Colorado Amateur Soccer League)

Aurora Sports Park – Aurora, CO

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET

LIVE STREAM

A pair of Denver clubs will square off with the winner qualifying for US Open Cup for the first time. FC Denver has yet to give up a goal in the competition, blanking a pair of UPSL teams thanks to goalkeeper Michael Moberg. They knocked out Gam United in Round 1, 3-0, followed by a 1-0 win over Fort Collins United back on Oct. 21. On the opposite end, the two games by Indios Denver, who is participating in the qualifying tournament for the first time, have been goalfests. They eliminated Colorado Premier League side FC Union Jerez 6-2 before punching their ticket to the final round with a 4-2 home win over the much-traveled IPS/Marathon Taverna.

There are rarely live streams for these qualifying matches, but fortunately for Open Cup fans, this is one that will have one. The live stream can be watched here.

Azteca FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier League)

at

Harpo’s FC (USSSA/Colorado Premier League)

Broomfield County Commons Park Stadium – Broomfield, CO

Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

LIVE STREAM

A pair of Colorado Premier League rivals will square off in what will be a rematch from last year’s final qualifying round. Harpo’s FC, who has developed a strong following as the self-proclaimed “#bullshitpubteam”, was looking to qualify for the US Open Cup for the third year in a row when they met Azteca FC at an auxillary field at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. In 2015 and 2016, Harpo’s had reached the second round where they lost to the USL’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks (both losses by a single goal each). However, Azteca defeated them 2-1 to earn themselves their first-ever Open Cup berth.

Azteca defeated UPSL side Denver Metro FC, 2-0 in Round 1, followed by a dramatic 3-2 win over the Colorado Rush. Samuel Lazo’s game-winner deep into second half stoppage time capped off an improbable performance by the Rush, who were only able to field 10 players.

Harpo’s had their fair share of drama en route to the final round. They needed penalty kicks to knock off FC Boulder of the UPSL, and then needed a 30-yard strike from Stibe Torres in the 120th minute to stun Colorado Springs FC (UPSL). Watch the video below …

@StibeTorres match winning bomb from 30 yards out in the 120th minute! Assist from Ben Iiames.#bullshitpubteam #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/RmVjJ34zlJ — Harpos FC (@HarposFC) October 24, 2017

FC Kendall (USASA/American Premier Soccer League)

at

Nashville United (USASA/Middle Tennessee Soccer Alliance)

Richard Siegel Soccer Park (Stadium Field) – Murfreesboro, TN

Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

One of the teams who had to make a lengthy trip for their Round 3 match is FC Kendall who will make the journey from South Florida to Nashville (more than 900 miles by car). For the first time, the USSF is providing financial assistance for teams that have to make lengthy trips in qualifying and FC Kendall, will take advantage of that. However, the assistance will not cover all of their travel costs, so they started a crowdfunding campaign to help. When they arrive in Murfeesboro (just southeast of Nashville), they will face Nashville United who are trying to become the first Modern Era (1995-present) open division amateur team from Tennessee to qualify. The winner of this game will qualify for the first time.

Nashville received a first round bye and had scored a 3-0 home win over Majestic SC from Atlanta to move on to the final round. FC Kendall had to play one more game, but had little trouble in each of them. They thrashed Leu Blacks FC (UPSL) 11-0 and then traveled north and took out former US international Eddie Johnson and the Orlando Storm, 4-0.

Kendall Wanderers (USASA/Bay State Soccer League)

at

Mass United (USASA/American Soccer League)

Dilboy Stadium – Somerville, MA

Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. ET

LIVE STREAM

There can only be one. The two remaining Massachusetts-based clubs will square off to determine who will qualify for the 105th edition of the US Open Cup. Both Mass United and Kendall Wanderers are entering the qualifying tournament for the first time (Although Mass United had tried to qualify under the previous USASA format). Neither team had to leave the state to reach the final round. United needed penalty kicks to eliminate Southie FC, then shut out Safira FC 2-0, on a 40-yard bomb of a goal and a penalty kick. After bouncing the Boston Siege FC 5-2 in Round 1, the Wanderers also eliminated a team that has qualified for the tournament in penalty kicks. They defeated GPS Omens 4-3 in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw.

Junior Lone Star U-23s (USASA/Philadelphia Premier Soccer League)

at

Lansdowne Bhoys FC (USASA/Cosmopolitan Soccer League)

Tibbetts Brooke Park – Yonkers, NY

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Last year, Philadelphia-based Junior Lone Star FC made their US Open Cup debut. They were disappointed when their quest to qualify for 2018 ended in Round 1. However, the club’s Under-23 team has continued on. After defeating fellow Philadelphia Premier Soccer League side Salone FC, they escaped with a 3-2 road win over United German Hungarians, one of the oldest active clubs in the country. Now, the team that was founded by West African refugees are one win away from qualifying.

To accomplish that, they will have to get past one of the powerhouses from New York City’s famed Cosmopolitan Soccer League, Lansdowne Bhoys FC. The Bhoys qualified in 2016 and made the most of their Open Cup debut with a stunning upset of the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds. After falling one game short last year, they are one game away for the second year in a row. The defending USASA Amatuer Cup champions got to the final round by defeating New Jersey’s Jackson Lions FC 2-1, followed by a penalty kick win over three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms.

Motagua of New Orleans (USASA/Gulf Coast Premier League)

at

North Texas Rayados (USASA/North Texas Premier Soccer Association)

Premier Park – Balch Springs, TX

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

Since 2012, every US Open Cup has featured the North Texas Rayados (although they were disqualified shortly before the 2016 tournament began). With a home win over Motagua of New Orleans, they would qualify for an open division record seventh year in a row.

These teams have a history. They were scheduled to play a “Win & You’re In” match in New Orleans during the inaugural 2016 open division qualifying tournament, but the round was canceled and all the participants were awarded spots in the US Open Cup. The next year, they met in the final round with North Texas winning 2-0. Now, they will face off again with a spot in the Open Cup on the line.

North Texas knocked off a pair of Austin-based clubs on the road to reach the final round, beating Central Texas Lobos 2-0, then Celtic Cowboys Premier, 4-1. Motagua needed a 4-1 road win over Mississippi-based Gaffa FC and then knocked off fellow Louisiana club Cajun SC, 3-1.

Galati FC (USASA/Arizona Champions League)

at

Sporting AZ FC (USASA/UPSL)

Chandler-Gilbert Community College – Chandler, AZ

Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

Both Arizona-based clubs battling for their first-ever US Open Cup berth only had to play one game to reach “Win & You’re In Weekend”. Sporting AZ of the UPSL and Galati of the Arizona Champions League each received first round byes. In Round 2, Galati FC cruised to a 6-1 win over Ojuelos Jalisco while Sporting rallied from a halftime deficit to score three straight goals to beat Inter Empireworks 3-1. Both clubs are seeking to become the first open division amateur club from Arizona to punch their ticket to the big dance since 2010.

San Pedro Monsters (USASA/SoCal Premier League)

at

Santa Ana Winds FC (USASA/UPSL)

Lake Forest Sports Park – Lake Forest, CA

Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

LIVE STREAM

The Monsters and the Winds have both cruised into the final round with one-sided results. The Monsters produced back-to-back 4-0 wins over UPSL teams (Fontana International SC and SFV Scorpions SC). Santa Ana defeated Outbreak SC 5-2, which denied Outbreak a possible third straight US Open Cup appearance. The Winds blew past fellow UPSL side Newcastle United FC, 6-0. The winner of Saturday’s game will be making their first US Open Cup appearance.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Phoenix SC (USASA/United Soccer League of Pennsylvania)

at

Christos FC (USASA/Maryland Major Soccer League)

Anne Arundel Community College – Arnold, MD

Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

After years of trying to qualify, Christos FC made the most of their US Open Cup debut in 2017. They earned three straight shutouts, including a road upset of the USL’s Richmond Kickers, and gave D.C. United (MLS) a run for their money as their Cinderella run came to a close in Round 4. If they want to return to the Open Cup, they will have to get past one of the oldest active soccer clubs in the country in Phoenix SC. The Philadelphia-area club has been playing soccer since 1926, and hasn’t qualified for the Open Cup since 2011. Phoenix SC has yet to allow a goal in the competition while shutting out Upper Darby FC (3-0) and 2016 qualifier West Chester United (1-0).

Christos blanked Open Cup regular Aegean Hawks FC (Maryland) 3-0 in Round 1, but punching their ticket to Round 3 wasn’t easy. They needed a Chris Panian goal in the 117th minute to break a scoreless deadlock to knock off fellow Maryland club Izee Auto FC.

Stegman’s SC (USASA/Minnesota Amateur Soccer League)

at

Rochester River Dogz (USASA/Rochester District Soccer League)

Pittsford Thornell Farm Park Turf Field – Pittsford, NY

Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

Stegman’s SC, the parent club of Minneapolis City SC (NPSL), got a free pass into Round 2 after a forfeit. They then had to travel to the Chicago area, where they edged Aurora Borealis SC 3-2. Their reward? Another long trip, this time to Rochester, NY to take on first-time entry Rochester River Dogz. (They’re raising money to cover their travel costs.) Rochester also benefited from a forfeit. After a 2-1 win over 2017 qualifier Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (Pittsburgh, Pa.), they reached the final round after Ann Arbor FC was unable to make the trip from Southeast Michigan due to player availability.

Rochester are led by a head coach who knows a thing or two about the US Open Cup. Doug Miller spent nearly his entire outdoor career with the Rochester Rhinos, and he helped the club make history when they won the 1999 US Open Cup title. Miller came off the bench and scored the first goal in the Rhinos’ 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids in the championship game. The River Dogz will look to represent the city of Rochester, which is currently dealing with the possible folding of the Rhinos.

Cal Victory FC (USASA/UPSL)

at

El Farolito (USASA/San Francisco Soccer Football League)

Boxer Stadium – San Francisco, CA

Kickoff: 2:15 p.m. ET

The last two Northern California teams remaining in the tournament enter Sunday’s “Win & You’re In” match with vastly different resumes.

Cal Victory FC, a team that was impacted by the Northern California wildfires, are making their first attempt at qualifying and have reached the final round by defeating Real San Jose 3-2 and the Davis Legacy 4-2. The win over the Legacy featured one of the best individual performances of the round. With the Victory playing with 10 men for the entire second half, Jesus Zamudio scored four goals to give Cal a comeback victory.

El Farolito, on the other hand, have won the tournament before. Under the name “CD Mexico” they won the 1993 US Open Cup, but haven’t attempted to qualify until the federation created this new open division qualifying tournament in 2015. They punched their ticket to the tournament last year, but were eliminated in a penalty kick shootout with the Burlingame Dragons (PDL). This year, they have pitched back-to-back shutouts to reach Win & You’re In Weekend. They earned a 3-0 win over Dynamos FC (UPSL), followed by a 5-0 win over Academica SC.

South Florida FC (USASA/American Premier Soccer League)

at

Red Force FC (USASA/American Premier Soccer League)

Kendall Soccer Park – Miami, FL

Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET

A pair of South Florida-based American Premier Soccer League (APSL) teams will square off with a spot in the US Open Cup on the line. Red Force FC is looking to qualify for the fourth time in the last six years, while South Florida FC is making its qualifying tournament debut.

South Florida reached the final round the traditional way. They played 90 minutes of soccer against an opponent in two separate games, earning a 3-1 win over Miami United Under-23s and a 5-1 win over Boca Raton FC. Red Force started the competition with an 8-1 beating of UPSL side FC Ginga, but had an easier game in Round 2. After jumping out to a 4-0 first half lead of Miami Nacional SC, Red Force was awarded a penalty kick. Miami Nacional’s head coach was so infuriated with the call, and what he felt were numerous bad calls prior to that, he walked onto the field and refused to leave. Later, he ordered his team to leave the field and did not return, which ended the game in the 40th minute.

La Maquina FC (USASA/UPSL)

at

Chula Vista FC (USASA/SoCal Premier League)

Chula Vista Elite Training Center – Chula Vista, CA

Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET

Two teams who have made in headlines in recent years by upsetting professional teams will play each other with a spot in the US Open Cup on the line. Chula Vista FC is seeking a third trip to the tournament in the last four years, while La Maquina is trying to punch their ticket for the third year in a row.

This is a rematch of the final round of the 2016 qualifying tournament when La Maquina eliminated Chula Vista 4-0 to earn their first trip to the US Open Cup, which led to them advancing to Round 4 and nearly upsetting the Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS).

To get to “Win & You’re In Weekend”, La Maquina just needed a 5-0 win over Bell Gardens FC, which featured two goals from Edwin Borboa, to advance. In Round 2, the Las Vegas Mobsters of the UPSL forfeited to allow them a free pass into Round 3. Chula Vista had a one-sided win in Round 1 as well, cruising past Strikers FC South Coast (UPSL) 5-1. They advanced to the final round without scoring a single goal, because their 1-0 win over Valley United SC (UPSL) was decided on an own goal.



Los Angeles Wolves FC (USASA/UPSL)

at

Buena Park FC (USASA/SoCal Premier League)

OC Great Park Championship Stadium – Irvine, CA

Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

The Los Angeles Wolves have reached the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in each of the last two years, and are now one win away from qualifying for a third straight year. To return to the tournament they will have to get past Buena Park FC, who are trying to qualify for the first time.

The Wolves just needed a 6-1 win over the Real Sociedad Royals to reach Round 2, where they received a free pass into Round 3 after Vanquish FC (UPSL) withdrew. Buena Park FC defeated a pair of UPSL teams to reach the final round, as they shutout Newport FC 3-0 and then defeated Santa Clarita Storm, 3-1.

The game was originally set to be played at JFK High School, but a few days before the game someone drove a vehicle on the playing field, leaving deep tire marks all over the pitch. This forced the game to be moved to Irvine, Calif.