In the opening round, USL League One teams joined all of the Open Division teams to kick off the 106th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. A few Open Division teams got to take on professional teams from USL League One, but in Round 2, it gets a little more difficult. Every U.S.-based team from the USL Championship (Div. 2 pro) joins the competition so every game features a team from the second division pro league in the United States.

There are 13 matches today and every game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Since 2003, fans who wanted to follow the opening round of the second-oldest, continually-operating soccer tournament in the world, would have to rely on updates from this site, or, in later years, the occasional live audio or video stream. Now, fans who are unable to attend a match in person, can watch every game from the comfort of their home, or through their favorite mobile device.

Below is a preview of all 13 of Wednesday’s Second Round games

#USOC2019 ESSENTIALS

2019 US Open Cup schedule/results (links to every match report)

2019 US Open Cup statistical leaders

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Game-by-game review

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Things you should know about the Second Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)

NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference currently ineligible for 2020 US Open Cup

Every US Open Cup game to stream on ESPN+ in multi-year media rights deal

THECUP.US PLAYER OF THE ROUND

Round 1: Charles Boateng – Richmond Kickers

#USOC2019 QUALIFYING

2019 US Open Cup qualifying schedule/results

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 game-by-game review

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 game-by-game review

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3 game-by-game review

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round game-by-game review

Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws

More pros, less amateurs, an extra sub in 2019 US Open Cup format

Chattanooga FC qualifies for 2019 US Open Cup, but opts out

Bavarian SC qualify for 2019 US Open Cup by winning Amateur Cup title

MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES

Milwaukee’s Bavarian Soccer Club, proudly amateur since 1929

West Chester United battle tested from long journey back to US Open Cup

NTX Rayados grooming “new generation” to keep qualifying streak going

Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club

FC Denver using US Open Cup to build to “higher level”

First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

Lansing Ignite (USL-1) at Indy Eleven (USL-C)

Sellick Bowl – Indianapolis, IN

Kickoff: May 15 – 7 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: Winner of this match travels to Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

Two of America’s best kept soccer secrets are about to clash in the US Open Cup Second Round for the first time ever. A city that’s had a soccer team in three leagues over three years against another whose club has been in contention for MLS expansion for at least three years. Between Indy Eleven and Lansing Ignite there’s a swath of soccer talent and tournament experience as both teams try to take the next step for the sport in their city.

Heading into its first year of play in USL League One, Lansing Ignite already had big shoes to fill after the fan favorite PDL club Lansing United folded after the 2018 season. Now in its first year the team has already matched United’s best Open Cup result (Second Round in 2012) as the team prepares to take part in the Second Round. (NOTE: Lansing United still maintains a women’s team) The squad advanced past NPSL side AFC Ann Arbor last week off goals by Elma N’For in each half. Ignite, currently lead by local soccer well-known coach Nate Miller, has recently earned two straight draws in USL-1 play heading into their next cup match.

For Indy Eleven the thought of a deep cup run has always been the dream. Even as a member of the North American Soccer League the team has never advanced past the Fourth Round and in the past two years has fallen in its first match against USL League Two sides Michigan Bucks (now “Flint City Bucks”) and Mississippi Brilla respectively. Despite losing last year’s leading goal scorer Jack McInerney, the team has enjoyed some success in it’s second USL Championship season, already having a four game win streak under their belt and currently drawing their last two games. Jamaican national team member Dane Kelly currently leads the teams with four goals and has scored seven goals across six open cups with multiple teams during his career, including a period between 2011 and 2015 where the Saint Catherine Parish scored at least one goal every tournament with the Charleston Battery.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Lansing Ignite (USL-1)

2nd US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 1-0-0

Away: N/A

Div. 2 pro: N/A

Best finish: First US Open Cup entry

Indy Eleven (USL-C)

6th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 2-4-1 (0-1 PK)

Home: 2-1-0

Div. 3 pro: 2-1-0

Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)

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Saint Louis FC (USL-C) at Des Moines Menace (USL-2)

Cownie Soccer Park – Des Moines, IA

Kickoff: May 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: Winner of this match hosts El Paso Locomotive (USL-C) or Forward Madison (USL-1) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jake Sillick

Saint Louis FC is perfect all-time in the Second Round of Open Cup. They will look to add to their four-game opening round winning streak against the Des Moines Menace at Cownie Soccer Park. Saint Louis currently sits near the top of the Eastern Conference, averaging two points per match in their nine matches, leaving them just two behind the top of the table with 18 points. Saint Louis has reached the Fourth Round of the cup twice out of their four appearances so far.

Des Moines had a grind them out game against Duluth FC in the 1st round, but they prevailed on penalty kicks in the end. Last Saturday, they opened up their USL League Two campaign against newcomers Green Bay. Des Moines would rotate a lot of players in this match, deciding to rest some starters for the Open Cup match. It didn’t matter though as Des Moines prevailed 2-0 in the match. Des Moines is looking to add to its giant killing resume as they have seven pro team upsets entering Wednesday’s action. Only one Open Division team in the Modern Era has more pro team upsets than the Menace (Flint City Bucks – 10)

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Saint Louis FC (USL-C)

5th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 5-4-1 (1-0 PK)

Away: 3-2-0

vs. Open Division: 5-0-0

Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2017)

Des Moines Menace (USL-2)

11th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 12-11-2 (2-0 PK)

Home: 7-5-2 (2-0 PK)

vs. Div. 2 pro: 4-3-0

Best finish: 2005 Fourth Round (Lost 6-1 at Kansas City Wizards of MLS)

Richmond Kickers (USL-1) at North Carolina FC (USL-C)

Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, NC

Kickoff: May 15 – 7 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: Winner of this match hosts Florida Soccer Soldiers (USASA / UPSL) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

It was a flying start for Richmond in this year’s US Open Cup. They easily dispatched Virginia United 6-2 in the first round. Charles Boateng scored four goals in the match and was named TheCup.us player of Round 1. The 1995 US Open Cup champions now travel south to Cary to face a former league opponent before the move to USL League One. Aside from their 1995 championship, Richmond’s best cup run came in 2011 when they became just the second third division pro team to reach the Semifinals. Currently the Kickers sit in 3rd place in the league with 11 points and beat FC Tucson 2-0 last weekend. They are led by head coach David Bulow, who has a strong Open Cup history on his resume. Bulow scored 13 career US Open Cup goals, which is tied for second for most goals in the Modern Era. Nine of those goals were scored while a long-time member of the Richmond Kickers.

The Kickers bring a strong Open Cup history to their 21 trips to the competition. The club’s 31 wins (excluding penalty kicks) is tied with the Charleston Battery and the Los Angeles Galaxy for most wins of any team in the Modern Era.

The Railhawks have hosted many teams from far away and close by at WakeMed Soccer Park. Out of the club’s 32 US Open Cup games, they have hosted 27 of those games and have taken advantage of the home field advantage with a 19-6-2 (1-1 PK) home record.

This will be the first time facing Richmond in Open Cup play since 2009 though. North Carolina FC has made deep runs in US Open Cup before. A couple quarterfinal appearances in this decade are notable. Nothing still tops the first appearance in the cup for them though, when they went all the way to the Semifinals before going out in extra time to New England Revolution. In fact, they reached the final four that year, by edging the Richmond Kickers 1-0 in the Quarterfinals. North Carolina FC currently sits in 7th out of the 18-team Eastern Conference of USL Championship. They have 15 points on 9 matches this season.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Richmond Kickers (USL-1)

21st US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 31-18-4 (2-2 PK)

Away: 6-10-3 (2-1 PK)

vs. Div. 2 pro: 5-2-1 (0-1 PK)

Best finish: 1995 US Open Cup champions

North Carolina FC (USL-C)

12th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 20-9-3 (1-2 PK)

Home: 19-6-2 (1-1 PK)

vs. Div. 3 pro: 6-2-1 (0-1 PK)

Best finish: 2007 Semifinals (Lost 2-1 AET at New England Revolution of MLS)

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Reading United AC (USL-2) at Louisville City (USL-C)

Lynn Stadium – Louisville, KY

Kickoff: May 15 – 7 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: Winner of this match hosts Birmingham Legion (USL-C) or West Chester United (USASA / USL of PA) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Michael Battista

For the first time ever in competitive play two of America’s lower league powerhouses will be facing off in the US Open Cup. For Reading United AC, a club with 23 plus years of experience, the chance to advance towards its second ever match against a MLS club looms. Louisville United meanwhile, a four-year old club that’s already been league champions for half of its existence, looks to follow in the same steps as last year where the team made national headlines during its deep cup run.

For the 11th consecutive year, Reading United AC will be taking part in the Open Cup. Almost as impressive is the team’s .500 or better record in the tournament since 2012 which has seen the team advance past the First Round every year. United continued that streak by beating Philadelphia Lone Star FC, 2-1, in the First Round thanks to two goals by Jeremy Rafanello and a controversial offside call which nullified a late game equalizer from the visiting NPSL side. Last season in USL League Two, the team enjoyed its best performance to date in league play going undefeated in the Mid Atlantic Division, including winning the regular season and eastern conference titles, before falling in the national final to Calgary Foothills FC.

Louisville City enters the 2019 US Open Cup following its best ever performance in 2018. The reigning two-time USL Championship title holders reached the quarterfinals of last year’s competition beating USL League Two side Long Island Rough Riders, fellow USL-C teams Saint Louis FC and Nashville SC, and even scored three goals on route to advancing past the New England Revolution of MLS. The team’s leading goal scorer that year Cameron Lancaster, who set a USL record with 25, left for soon-to-be MLS side Nashville which has changed the team’s dynamics overall. Three players currently have three or more goals through 10 games which currently sees the team sitting at 5th in the eastern conference.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Reading United AC (USL-2)

13th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 9-10-3 (1-2 PK)

Away: 0-7-1 (0-1)

vs. Div. 2 pro: 1-2-1 (0-1)

Best finish: Third Round (2013, 2014, 2017)

Louisville City FC (USL-C)

5th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 7-4-1 (1-0 PK)

Home: 4-0-1 (1-0 PK)

vs. Open Division: 3-0-1 (1-0 PK)

Best finish: 2018 Quarterfinals (Lost 4-0 at Chicago Fire of MLS)

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Charleston Battery (USL-C) at Greenville Triumph (USL-1)

Legacy Early College Field – Greenville, SC

Kickoff: May 15 – 7 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: Winner of this match travels to Nashville SC (USL-C) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte

After slipping past a league foe last week in its first-ever U.S. Open Cup match, Greenville Triumph SC host a USOC mainstay in the Charleston Battery on Wednesday evening.

Greenville, from fledgling USL League One, traveled to South Georgia Tormenta FC last Wednesday for an intra-league first-round matchup, winning 1-0 on a 75th-minute tally from Cole Seiler. The Triumph joined Lansing Ignite FC, the Richmond Kickers and Forward Madison FC as the remaining Division 3 clubs in the field. Goals have been a little hard to come by Greenville in the early going: in 8 matches across all competitions, it has managed just 4 goals – including a goalless draw at Lansing Ignite FC on Saturday – and have been kept off the scoresheet in 5 of those 8 matches.

While Greenville are an Open cup debutant this year, the Battery know all about the competition. Charleston’s best showing was a dream run to the final in 2008 – with a pair of semifinal appearances in 1999 and 2004 – with the club on a 13-match winning streak in opening round matchups dating back to 2006. In USL Championship play, the Battery are 4-4-1 with 16 points and four points behind Eastern Conference frontrunners New York Red Bulls II and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Last season, it defeated South Georgia Tormenta and Elm City Express by 1-0 scores before falling for a second straight year in the fourth round to MLS’s Atlanta United.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Charleston Battery (USL-C)

20th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 33-16-6 (3-3 PK)

Away: 6-9-1 (1-0 PK)

vs. Div. 3 pro: 4-1-0

Best finish: 2008 US Open Cup Runner Up

Greenville Triumph (USL-1)

1st US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 1-0-0

Home: 1-0-0

vs. Div. 2 pro: N/A

Best finish: 1st entry

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New York Red Bulls U23 (USL-2) at Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)

AutoZone Park – Memphis, TN

Kickoff: May 15 – 8 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: Winner of this match hosts Hartford Athletic (USL-C) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Daniel Crooke

After a thrilling 4-4 tie with FC Motown saw New York Red Bulls U23s advance 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out, the young Red Bulls are rewarded with a Wednesday night trip to Tennessee and new USL Championship side Memphis 901.

901 FC enter the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the back of the second win of their inaugural USL Championship campaign, beating Hartford Athletic 2-1. The Memphis club have yet to experience victory at AutoZone Field, with three defeats and two ties at home in the league. Their prospects have been boosted by the loan signing of Lagos Kunga from Atlanta United ahead of their maiden US Open Cup game. Another player of note is Adam Najem. The Afghan national team midfielder was part of the Red Bulls academy as well as the NYRB U23 team that made the USL PDL championship game in 2015. Najem’s only previous Open Cup appearance came in 2017 as his Philadelphia Union side lost to the Red Bulls’ senior team in a penalty shoot-out at the Round of 16.

The Little Reds will be fresh coming into the game as their USL League 2 run doesn’t kick off until this weekend. Last season’s Eastern Conference runners-up have the chance to set a new mark for their best USOC performance, having reached the second round for only the second time. In 2014, the Red Bulls U23 team – then plying its trade in NPSL – lost 3-1 away to Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the second round. A win in Memphis would also mark the team’s first ever away win in the US Open Cup.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New York Red Bulls U23 (USL-2)

5th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 1-4-1 (1-0 PK)

Away: 0-4-0

vs. Div. 2 pro: N/A

Best finish: 2014 Second Round

Memphis 901 FC (USL-C)

1st US Open Cup appearance

Overall: N/A

Home: N/A

Open Division: N/A

Best finish: N/A

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West Chester United (USASA/USL of PA) at Birmingham Legion (USL-C)

BBVA Compass Field – Birmingham, AL

Kickoff: May 15 – 8 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: Winner of this match travels to Louisville City (USL-C) or Reading United (USL-2) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Daniel Crooke

The road to the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup has been a long one for West Chester SC. The amateurs played all four qualifying rounds on the road, before coming away from FC Baltimore Christos with the win via a penalty shoot-out. The second round brings the Predators a sixth consecutive road game as they make the trip down to face Birmingham Legion.

It took just 58 seconds for Troy Amspacher to open the scoring in the first round fixture with FC Baltimore Christos, but the the night wore on for the Pennsylvania side before eventually advancing 5-4 on penalties. Their previous run in the competition similarly saw a penalty shoot-out win followed by a visit to a USL club in the second round. That run was ended with a 2-0 defeat to Harrisburg City Islanders (Now Penn FC). New USL Championship club Birmingham Legion are embarking on their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup campaign.

The Legion are on a three game winless run having lost 3-0 at home to Louisville City at the weekend. BBVA Compass Field is a home that is taking some adjusting to for Birmingham, only winning once in five home games in the 2019 season.

West Chester don’t just rely on the Open Cup for a challenging schedule. Qualifying as a USASA side in the USL of Pennsylvania, the Predators are close to wrapping up a fourth consecutive league tite with qualifiers recently picking up their first loss in three years. With the spring schedule of the USL of PA, West Chester also field an NPSL side which dropped its opening fixture last week.

West Chester SC has been a focal point for the USOC this year, with ESPN and US Soccer producing a behind the scenes look at the team both on the pitch and in their day jobs.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

West Chester United (USASA/USL of PA)

2nd US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 0-1-2 (2-0 PK)

Away: 0-0-2 (2-0 PK)

vs. Div. 2: N/A

Best finish: 2016 Second Round

Birmingham Legion FC (USL-C)

1st US Open Cup appearance

Overall: N/A

Home: N/A

Open Division: N/A

Best finish: N/A

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Forward Madison (USL-1) at El Paso Locomotive (USL-C)

Southwest University Ballpark – El Paso, TX

Kickoff: May 15 – 9 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: Winner of this match travels to Saint Louis FC (USL-C) or Des Moines Menace (USL-2) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Daniel Crooke

Two of this year’s newcomers meet in the furthest apart match up so far in the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as Forward Madison makes the 2,400 mile round trip to face El Paso Locomotive.

The Flamingos made their USOC debut in Round One with a 2-0 victory over Bavarian SC thanks to first half goals from Brandon Eaton and Jiro Barriga Toyama. A weekend draw with Chattanooga Red Wolves in USL League One left the Wisconsin side 4th in the league and pushed their unbeaten run through the one month mark. Forward Madison are 3-0-2 since their previous trip to Texas in early April, a 1-0 defeat to USL League One leaders North Texas SC and a goal by El Paso native Ricardo Pepi.

El Paso are also unbeaten over the past month, but find themselves in 13th place in the USL Championship. Jerome Kieswetter will be key to the hosts’ success. The 26-year-old was twice capped for the US Men’s National Team under Jurgen Klinsmann, and has four goals in five games including a brace in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with New Mexico United.

El Paso Locomotive won’t have to look too far for inspiration ahead of their US Open Cup debut. The El Paso Patriots hosted the 1995 US Open Cup Final, coming agonizingly close to lifting the Dewar Cup as Richmond Kickers eventually won via a penalty shootout. The game took place just a few miles from the Locomotive’s home at Southwest University Park as the first of four finals to take place in Texas. The Dallas Burn would become the first Texan club to win two years later, and have again as FC Dallas in addition to the current holders, Houston Dynamo.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Forward Madison FC (USL-1)

1st US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 1-0-0

Away: 1-0-0

USL Championship: N/A

Best finish: N/A

El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)

1st US Open Cup appearance

Overall: N/A

Home: N/A

USL League One: N/A

Best finish: N/A

Fresno FC (USL-C) at El Farolito (NPSL)

Boxer Stadium – San Francisco, CA

Kickoff: May 15 – 5:30 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: If El Farolito wins, they host the winner of Sacramento Republic (USL-C) and Reno 1868 FC (USL-C) on May 29. If Fresno FC wins, they travel to the winner of Sacramento Republic (USL-C) and Reno 1868 FC (USL-C) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Jake Sillick

It’s a great start to the season in Fresno. The Foxes are currently 3rd in the Western Conference this season, amassing 16 points through their first 9 matches in the USL Championship. They will have to head on the road to San Francisco to get their first cup win of the season. Last season in their first US Open Cup, they made a great run to the 4th round before being knocked out by LAFC of MLS.

It was an amazing bicycle kick goal for Leo Fredes that led El Farolito to their first round victory over Academica SC. Unfortunately for him, he broke his arm on that play and will be unavailable for this match against Fresno. El Farolito is hosting this match though at historic Boxer Stadium in San Francisco. Boxer Stadium does not have lights, so El Farolito has to schedule daytime matches for every home match they play.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Fresno FC (USL-C)

2nd US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 2-1-0

Away: 0-1-0

vs. Open Division: 2-0-0

Best finish: 2018 Fourth Round

El Farolito (NPSL)

2nd US Open Cup appearance (Modern Era)

Overall: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)

Home: 0-0-1 (0-1 PK)

vs. Div. 2 pro: N/A

Best finish: 1993 US Open Cup champion (as CD Mexico)

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FC Denver (USSSA / Colorado Premier League) at Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C)

Weidner Field – Colorado Springs, CO

Kickoff: May 15 – 9 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: The winner of this game will travel to Phoenix Rising (USL-C) on May 29 if Phoenix defeats New Mexico United (USL-C), or the winner of this game will host New Mexico United on May 29 if New Mexico United defeats Phoenix Rising.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks needed a late penalty to shake off amateur side FC Denver in last season’s U.S. Open Cup second round. A year later, FC Denver hope to pull off an upset against the second-division outfit.

This stands as the second appearance in the Open Cup for FC Denver, who qualified with a 4-1 victory over fellow amateur side GAM United in December. Last year, it doubled up Azteca FC 4-2 and were level with the Switchbacks with four minutes remaining before falling on a successful kick from the spot by Colorado Springs’ Jordan Burt.

The Switchbacks, who are in their fifth year in the USL Championship, have never lost to an Open Division team in their four previous appearances. They have struggled in league play thus far, with a record of 2-2-6, scoring just 9 goals and allowing 17. Last year’s tournament saw them defeat FC Denver in Round 2 and draw San Antonio FC 1-1 before falling 5-3 on penalties.

Colorado Springs would do well to not write off its opponent this week, with last year’s events hopefully equaling a more focused and straightforward approach.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

FC Denver (USSSA / Colorado Premier League)

2nd US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 2-1-0

Away: 1-1-0

vs. Div. 2 pro: 0-1-0

Best finish: 2018 Second Round

Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C)

5th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 6-3-1 (0-1 PK)

Home: 4-1-0

vs. Open Division: 4-0-0

Best finish: Fourth Round (2015, 2016)

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New Mexico United (USL-C) at Phoenix Rising (USL-C)

Casino Arizona Field – Tempe, AZ

Kickoff: May 15 – 10:30 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: If Phoenix Rising wins, they will host the winner of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C) and FC Denver (USSSA) on May 29. If New Mexico wins, they will travel to the Colorado Springs/FC Denver winner on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte

An Open Cup debutant travels to take on a fellow USL Championship foe and a club looking to make waves in this edition of the tournament.

New Mexico United, an expansion side in the Championship, have gotten off to a flying start and stand a strong chance to win its first-ever USOC match in hostile territory. Through 11 matches of league play, New Mexico lead the league in goals with 24 and are 4-6-1 with 18 points, tied with Portland Timbers 2 at the top of the Western Conference table despite one more game played. Former Phoenix Rising player Kevaughn Frater and Santi Moar are the club’s top scorers with 7 goals a piece, one shy of league leader Tom Barlow of New York Red Bulls II.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Rising are 3-5-2 through 10 matches of their own USL Championship campaign, knotted with five other clubs with 14 points. Adam Jahn leads the way with 5 goals, while Junior Flemmings and Solomon Asante each have 4 assists.

These two teams already have a history with each other stemming from a wild March 16 affair. Phoenix and New Mexico played to a 3-3 draw in a match that featured several lead changes, saw a pair of penalties awarded to Phoenix, and ended with Alejandro Mariscal having brandished 9 yellow cards – 6 against New Mexico. Time will tell if there is any carryover from that previous meeting in March.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

New Mexico United (USL-C)

1st US Open Cup appearance

Overall: N/A

Away: N/A

vs. Div. 2 pro: N/A

Best finish: N/A

Phoenix Rising (USL-C)

6th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 4-4-1 (0-1 PK)

Home: 1-4-0

vs. Div. 2 pro: 0-1-0

Best finish: 2014 Fourth Round

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Reno 1868 FC (USL-C) at Sacramento Republic (USL-C)

Papa Murphy’s Park – Sacramento, CA

Kickoff: May 15 – 10:30 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: The winner of this match will travel to El Farolito (NPSL) on May 29 if El Farolito defeat Fresno FC (USL-C). The winner will host Fresno FC on May 29 if Fresno FC defeats El Farolito.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte

A pair of USL Championship rivals open U.S. Open Cup play for 2019 as Reno 1868 FC make the trip down I-80 to pay a visit to the Sacramento Republic.

This is actually the second time in less than a week that Reno have visited Sacramento, and they hope that Wednesday will mirror its successful trip to California this past Saturday. The Republic took a 12th-minute lead through Matt Taintor, but two goals in either half – including a brace from Corey Hertzog – saw 1868 FC leave town with a 4-1 win.

Reno are unbeaten in 5 of the 8 all-time meetings between the two clubs (4 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw). Coincidentally, two of those three losses have come in U.S. Open Cup play. In the third round in 2017, goals by Harry Williams and Trevin Caesar led Sacramento to a 2-0 home victory, while a 69th-minute goal by Keven Alemán lifted the Republic to a 1-0 win away to Reno in the 2018 third round.

In league play, Reno and Sacramento are separated by 5 points. Reno currently sits in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 4-4-2 mark and 16 points, tied with Fresno FC and two points behind table-toppers Portland Timbers 2 and New Mexico United. The Republic are 4-2-4 on the campaign and tied with five other teams with 14 points. Brian Brown is Reno’s key player with 6 goals (tied for third in the league) and 4 assists (tied for fourth), while 1868 FC’s 19 goals put it in fifth among USL Championship teams.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Reno 1868 FC (USL-C)

3rd US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 1-2-1 (1-0 PK)

Away: 0-1-1 (1-0 PK)

vs. Div. 2 pro: 0-2-0

Best finish: Third Round (2017, 2018)

Sacramento Republic (USL-C)

6th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 11-4-1 (0-1 PK)

Home: 10-1-0

vs. Div. 2 pro: 2-0-0

Best finish: Fifth Round (2017, 2018)

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Orange County FC (NPSL) at Orange County SC (USL-C)

Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium – Irvine, CA

Kickoff: May 15 – 10:30 p.m. ET

Round 3 scenarios: The winner of this match travels to Las Vegas Lights (USL-C) on May 29.

BROADCAST: ESPN+

By Sydney Hunte

Orange County FC (NPSL) currently sit 2 points off the top in the NPSL West Region, Southwest Conference, collecting 26 of 36 points and a goal difference of +21. Cody Shelton leads the OCFC attack with 9 goals and 5 assists.

Orange County SC (USL-C) is currently running more cold than hot thus far, on a 3 game streak without a defeat. Sitting in 12th position, outside the playoff place having just 13 of 30 points on the season, the bulk of the scoring comes from the triple-threat of Darwin Jones, Aodhan Quinn and Michael Seaton, who have combined for 10 of their 17 goals.

This is first time these two teams have met in an Orange County Derby. Both teams play, at least intermittently, in Orange County’s Great Park, so there is no real home field advantage.

US OPEN CUP HISTORY

Orange County FC (NPSL)

2nd US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 2-1-0

Away: 0-1-0

vs. Div. 2 pro: 0-1-0

Best finish: 2018 Second Round

Orange County SC (USL-C)

9th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 5-7-1 (0-1 PK)

Home: 2-3-0

vs. Open Division: 5-4-1 (0-1 PK)

Best finish: 2017 Fourth Round