It’s almost Open Cup time again!

The 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament kicks off this Tuesday, with the first day of the first round. We have 56 clubs entering in the first round, with 21 from the PDL, 18 from the NPSL and 17 through the local qualifier tournament. These numbers are up from last year, with a total of 99 teams involved in this year’s tournament. This is a new record for the Open Cup, growing from just 40 clubs 10 years ago.

The first round always brings with it the battle between the PDL and NPSL for unofficial fourth division supremacy, as well as the opportunity for upsets by local amateur teams. Let’s take a look at how both of those went down last year.

In the 2016 first round, we saw nine matches between NPSL and PDL clubs, five between NPSL and local clubs, and nine between PDL and local clubs. The PDL just barely edged out its rival league, winning 5-4.

But against local qualifiers, the PDL fared worse, winning three games and losing six against local opposition. Notably, PDL club Ventura County Fusion had to forfeit to the LA Wolves of USASA despite winning the match 2-1. After a protest and subsequent investigation, the Fusion were found to have fielded Gabriel Gonzales, who had also played for Cal FC in its qualifying matches. That’s a roster violation, and the Fusion’s win was stripped.

The NPSL clubs fared better against the local qualifiers, winning their matches 3-2, albeit with a forfeiture by NTX Rayados. NTX elected to sit out the 2016 spring season in its local league, and as a result had no registered players. That meant the team had no eligible players to contest the Open Cup, and the win went to Corinthians of San Antonio.

This year, the first round has grown to 28 matches, featuring 11 between the fourth division leagues, seven between NPSL clubs and local qualifiers, and 10 between PDL clubs and local qualifiers And, both clubs who were disqualified last year are back! The NTX Rayados will be taking on the NPSL’s Houston Dutch Lions, and the Ventura County Fusion will be taking on the Moreno Valley Futbol Club.

Also of note this year, we’re guaranteed to have at least two first round clubs make it to the third round. The winners of Western Mass Pioneers vs. Boston City FC and GPS Portland Phoenix vs. GPS Omens will play in the second round, as well as the winners of Albion SC Pros vs. Chula Vista FC and LA Wolves FC vs. San Diego Zest.

Every other first round winner will face a team from either the USL or NASL. Last year, we saw two first round clubs advance all the way to the fourth round, against MLS opposition. La Maquina FC held the LA Galaxy to a 1-1 draw into added time, eventually losing 4-1, while the Kitsap Pumas were defeated by the Seattle Sounders with two second half goals.

To wrap things up, I’ll leave you with my favorite non-FC Dallas related Open Cup memory: the Cal FC story.

In 2012, Cal FC, a “fifth-tier” amateur team led by former USA international Eric Wynalda, won all three of its qualification games with a +11 goal differential. In the first round, Cal made quick work of the PDL’s Kitsap Pumas, winning 3-1. This brought the name Danny Barrera from obscurity right into the headlines, as he and his brother combined for two of Cal’s three goals.

In the second round, Cal FC took on the Wilmington Hammerheads of USL Pro and stunned us all with a commanding 4-0 win. Again, the Barrera brothers combined for two goals. Some may say that they got some help with Wilmington down to nine men in the second half, but all four goals were scored before Bryce Taylor received the first of Wilmington’s two red cards. With the win, Cal FC moved on to take on some MLS opposition, the Portland Timbers.

On May 30, 2012, in the final match of the third round, Cal FC moved from headline news to Open Cup legends. Things started off well for Cal, with a fingertip save from Jesus Gonzales the only thing keeping Troy Perkins off the scoresheet in the 6th minute. Yet the Timbers pressed harder, constantly getting crosses in and holding Cal scoreless. First half, no score. Second half went by, more of the same, even a penalty kick awarded to Portland. Still no score. On to added time.

It only took five minutes. Artur Aghasian took a clean pass right through the Timbers defense. He was onside. Into the box. A quick chip.

Darby Carrillo with more heroic work in goal. The final whistle blew.

And history was made:

Cal FC 1, Portland Timbers 0.

For the first time in years, an amateur team toppled a giant from MLS. Could it happen again this year? Here’s hoping.

You can follow John on Twitter @JohnMLTX.