With the amateur round of the US Open Cup completed, the professional sides begin to play next week. US Soccer has released the potential matchups for Round 3.

The first round of the Open Cup did not disappoint. Professional sides from the North American Soccer League and United Soccer League are now set to begin play. Over the last few years, the third round of the tournament has been the most intriguing. This is because the majority of the NASL vs USL contests occur in Round 3. The pro sides will have to take care of business against some strong amateur sides first, but the potential pairings are hard not to get excited about.

Things will be a bit different this time around. The two leagues currently share provisional Division 2 status, giving that much more weight to this year’s cup, the only time the two leagues meet in competitive play. The Open Cup meetings mean little in terms of overall success for the clubs, but the competition gives the teams bragging rights founded in competitive play.

US Soccer will release the hosting rights later today.

Possible Pairings

Pairing 1

Boston City FC (NPSL)/GPS Omens (PDL)

Rochester Rhinos (USL)/FC Motown (USASA)

The Rochester Rhinos were the last lower level team to win the Open Cup in 1999. It’s been a disappointing run for the club since then. The Rhinos will host FC Motown, an amateur side from the high-level leagues in New Jersey. If Rochester takes care of business, they’ll face another amateur side in Boston City FC or GPS Omens. No D2 showdown for them, for now.

Pairing 2

Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)/Harrisburg City Islanders (USL)

Reading United AC (PDL)/New York Cosmos (NASL)

Like Rochester, the New York Cosmos come to the table with plenty of history. While few clubs around today have a past quite like the Cosmos, even the reboot edition have found success over the past few years. As for cup play, the New York side have lost in the Round 5, also known as the Round of 16, in all three of their cup appearances. Making an Open Cup run has been a well-noted goal for the team since they resumed play in 2012.

Should the pros take care of their PDL opponents, Harrisburg City Islanders would become the first USL side the Cosmos have faced in the cup. The Islanders have a history of strong cup performances, as the club has made the quarterfinals in three of their ten appearances.

Pairing 3

Carolina Dynamo (PDL)/North Carolina FC (NASL)

Charlotte Eagles (PDL) /Charlotte Independence (USL)

Carolina derbies all around! With revenge matches to double the fun. The Independence got the best of the Eagles in the battle for Charlotte last year before the then-Carolina Railhawks whipped them 5-0. The thrashing could have been motivated by the Independence getting the best of the Railhawks the year before in their first ever cup meeting. North Carolina FC reached the semi-finals in their first run in the Open Cup and made the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2014.

Before the Independence came around, both the Dynamo and the Eagles routinely faced the club formerly known as the Railhawks in cup play. Regardless of what teams advance, the Round 3 match will be coupled with plenty of history.

Pairing 4

Atlanta Silverbacks (NPSL)/Charleston Battery (USL)

Miami United FC (NPSL)/Jacksonville Armada (NASL)

Both the Battery and Armada have stayed near the top of their respective leagues so far this season, so their potential showdown would be one to keep an eye on. As it turns out, the Silverbacks are a former NASL team themselves. Miami United FC looked like one of the better clubs competing in Round 1. All of the matchups should be exciting.