The Road to the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Proper began this weekend with 44 amateur teams in action across the country in the First Qualifying Round.
There were more than a few mismatches played out during the 22 games, with the award for most-lopsided scoreline going to our 2025 Open Cup debutants Southern Indiana FC (UPSL) who put ten past neighbours and league-mates Southern Indiana Guardians without reply.
Nathan Brown and Kellan Clegg each scored a pair of goals in the 10-0 rout while the seven others were spread through the team. The dominant performance would seem to indicate the Indiana side are in good shape to survive the four Qualifying Rounds and book a second straight berth in the Open Cup Proper.
Other notable drubbings saw regular contenders Tulsa Athletic, oft-times Open Cup Proper Cinderellas, beat the Bartlesville Buffaloes 6-0 at their beloved homebase of Hicks Field. Another side with notable Open Cup underdog pedigree, Christos FC (of the American Premier Soccer League and Greater Baltimore) knocked off Patuxent FA to the tune of 8-0.
Albion SC Silicon Valley, well, fully eclipsed Eclipse Soccer Academy 7-1 out west in California, where Napa Valley 1839 also put five past FCSF Vikings SC (5-1). The Denton Diablos, who reached the Open Cup Proper in 2022, pushed past Texas neighbours Sporting NTX 6-2.
In more competitive fare, Chicagoland’s Edgewater Castle FC snuck past Black Cat FC with a 2-1 squeaker on Saturday, with the other Windy City contest seeing Wisloka beat the Chicago Striker 3-0. Regular Qualifying Round contenders Vereinigung Erzgebirge of Pennsylvania won out 2-1 against Vidas United FC in Pennsylvania.
In a battle for New York City legacy ethnic team bragging rights, it was the Greek Americans who came out on top of the NY Pancyprian Freedoms in the only clash of the First Qualifying Round between two former U.S. Open Cup Champions.
The Pancyprians weren’t the only members of the 2025 Open Cup Proper field who failed at the first hurdle, falling short in a bid to join the party again in 2026. New Jersey Alliance and FORO SC, who even managed a 2025 Cupset of pro side Texoma FC (USL League One) in the 2025 Open Cup, were bounced by ASC New York and an impressive Dallas Atletico respectively.
The Second Qualifying Round (of a total four) will be played out on October 11-12 ,with the 22 First Round winners joining 101 teams that received byes in a colossal Second Qualifying Round that will consist of a record 59 games. U.S. Soccer will announce the matchups and schedule for the Second Qualifying Round after this week’s 2025 U.S. Open Cup Semifinal games – LIVE on Paramount+ and on air at CBS Sports Network).
For the second consecutive year, the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will provide 32 entries into the Open Division, 16 via the Qualifying Rounds and 16 for teams/competitions awarded a bye directly into the Tournament Proper. Three of the bids in the latter category have already been awarded to West Chester SC (2025 USASA National Amateur Cup Champion), Tennessee Tempo FC (2025 UPSL Spring Champion) and El Farolito (2025 John Motta Trophy Winner, awarded to highest Open Division finisher from the previous year’s Open Cup).
The remaining 13 slots designated for clubs in the 2025 National Leagues, NPSL (4) and USL League Two (9), were prorated based on team membership for the 2026 season. That group includes the 2025 champions of each league, Vermont Green FC of USL2 and the NPSL’s Hickory FC.
Day One | Sept. 13
Black Cat FC 1-2 Edgewater Castle FC
Southern Indiana Guardians FC 0-10 Southern Indiana FC
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 0-3 Colonial SC
Tulsa Athletic 6-0 FC Bartlesville Buffaloes
Chicago Strikers 0-3 Wisloka Chicago
Eclipse Soccer Academy 1-7 Albion SC Silicon Valley
Napa Valley 1839 5-1 FCSF Vikings SC
Day Two | Sept. 14
Vidas United FC 1-2 Vereinigung Erzgebirge 2
Patuxent FA 0-8 Christos FC
Boulder United FC 4-0 Colorado Rovers
The Olympic Club 4-2 Norcal Shockwaves 2
Oranje FC 0-3 Doradus FC
Denton Diablos 6-2 Sporting NTX
Scots-American Athletic Club 3-1 Real Central NJ Soccer
DOXA SC 1-0 New Jersey Alliance FC
FORO SC 1-3 Dallas Atletico
Yinz United 1-2 MSI Pro
New York Greek American SC 2-0 New York Pancyprian Freedoms
NY Renegades 2-1 ASC New York
Aegean Hawks FC 1-3 Arlington SA Pro
Terminus FC 0-1 Majestic SC (Match terminated in 73rd minute)
Peak Eleven FC 3-2 FC Denver (AET)
Angelo Maduro is a senior reporter at large for usopencup.com