The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the oldest soccer championship in the United States. It’s a tournament consisting of the American clubs from the MLS, NASL, and USL along with amateur clubs who have qualified in their leagues to compete in the tournament. The winner of the tournament gets a $250,000 prize and a place in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Today, the Open Cup announced their first round matchups as well as potential second round matchups. Three teams from the PDL (Premier Development League) have qualified from the Carolinas and will enter the tournament in the first round.

They are the Carolina Dynamo, the SC United Bantams, and the Charlotte Eagles.

The Carolina Dynamo qualified by finishing second in the PDL’s South Atlantic division, and then reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals. They will host Virginia’s “Legacy 76" from the NPSL on May 10th at 7pm at Macpherson Stadium.

If they win they will go on to host North Carolina FC in the second round on May 17th at Macpherson Stadium.

The SC United Bantams are in the tournament for the first time in club history. They qualified by finishing third in the South Atlantic division, and reaching the PDL Playoffs Play-in game. They will have to travel to face the Atlanta Silverbacks of the NPSL on May 10th at 5pm at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

If they win they will travel again to face the Charleston Battery on May 17th at 7pm at MUSC Stadium.

The Charlotte Eagles are the third and final Carolina team to play this round. They qualified by winning the PDL’s South Atlantic Division, and reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They will host Chattanooga FC of the NPSL on May 10th at 7pm at Charlotte Christian School.

If they win, they will host the Charlotte Independence on May 17th at 7pm.

Second round inter-Carolina matchup possibilities

Carolina’s other three teams enter the tournament in the second round. We already listed three potential matchups with the clubs above. Should they lose, the other possibilities for them are as follows:

If the Dynamo lose, North Carolina FC will travel to Wanner Stadium in Williamsburg, VA on May 17th to face Legacy 76.

If the Bantams lose, Charleston Battery will travel to Atlanta Silverbacks Park to face the Silverbacks on May 17th at 5pm.

If the Eagles lose, Charlotte Independence will travel to Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, TN to face Chattanooga FC on May 17th at 7:30pm.