The 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is finally here – matching up teams at all levels between the lines. The second round’s start this week marks the entry of professional squads to the tournament’s 108th edition, with USL Championship, USL League One, and NISA squads joining amateur sides. As a result, Cupset season has officially arrived to the excitement of football fans across the nation.
For those unacquainted, the U.S. Open Cup serves as U.S. Soccer’s National Championship. It’s one of the most unique competitions in sport – over 100 squads from all levels of football play for the same prize, amateurs get the chance to face professionals, and some of the biggest games in clubs’ histories take place on the regular. Win, and you move on. Lose and your quest for the Cup is over. The victor earns a $300,000 purse, as well as a berth in the following year’s Concacaf Champions League to take on the best from North America and the Caribbean. Republic FC made waves in the 2022 edition, advancing to the final after besting three MLS squads to become the first lower-division side to participate in the championship match since 2008.
This year’s second round comes after an eventful first round proper that saw amateur sides nationwide show just how special the competition is. Five contests needed extra time or penalties to decide who advanced. Between now and Thursday, 29 contests will be played, with 14 amateur sides taking on professional outfits and 15 contests serving as battleground for second and third division clubs.
Sacramento’s match against NPSL side Crossfire is one of a few notable pro vs. amateur matches in the second round. In the Bay Area, Oakland Roots with take on local foe El Farolito of San Francisco. Back east, Appalachian FC take on Charlotte Independence – who’s been the victim of a cupset every year since 2017 according to U.S. Soccer – and Chicago House AC takes on League One’s Forward Madison. Orange County SC takes on local qualifier Capo FC in a Southern California clash.
Last season, Sacramento bested its second-round foe, Portland Timbers U23, 6-0 at Heart Health Park. In other contests, however, the lower division side won on nine occasions, requiring extra time in four games. Some of the most notable included League One expansion side Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC besting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1-0 after extra time, Memphis 901 FC falling to Chattanooga FC 3-1, and El Paso Locomotive FC conceding 4 scores in a defeat to Central Valley Fuego.
Should Republic FC emerge victorious, the club would punch its ticket to the third round for the eighth consecutive year. Following the match, the third-round draw will group clubs by region and randomly select the matchups and venues.
