Daniel Karell

The Courier-Journal

U.S. Soccer announced a couple of changes to the U.S. Open Cup format, but the path to a cup title remains similar for Louisville City FC.

Louisville City will enter the 2017 U.S. Open Cup along with U.S.-based teams from the United Soccer League and North American Soccer League in the second round of the competition, which begins Wednesday, May 17.

The 24 Division II franchises will be paired to face one of the 28 first-round winners, which includes teams from local amateur clubs, the National Premier Soccer League, and the Premier Development League, which are amateur or semi-professional.

The games will be geographically matched, with Louisville City likely facing a team out of the Midwest. Possible opponents include local PDL club Derby City Rovers, Chicago FC United (PDL), AFC Cleveland (NPSL), Chattanooga FC (NPSL), Grand Rapids FC (NPSL) and AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL).

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The first and second round pairings will be announced April 12.

“It’s a fantastic tournament,” Louisville City coach James O’Connor said in a statement. “I really enjoyed our first year, getting to play the Chicago Fire in Chicago. I was disappointed with the way it worked out for us last year, losing to Indy Eleven after going up 1-0. So this year we’re excited to get back into the competition — really looking forward to it.”

The winners of the second-round matches will then play each other in the third round, which is set to take place on Wednesday, May 31, before Major League Soccer clubs enter the competition in the fourth round on June 14.

With the USL and NASL both occupying Division II status, U.S. Soccer has decided to have both leagues enter the competition at the same time. In years past, the U.S.-based NASL clubs joined the competition in the third round.

Last year, Louisville City defeated Detroit City FC on penalty kicks before falling to Indy Eleven, 2-1 in the third round. In Louisville City's first season, the club defeated Lansing United in the second round and Indy Eleven in the third round before falling to the MLS' Chicago Fire in the fourth round.