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US Open Cup: First and Second Round Draws Revealed

By Nathan Reynolds

Sep 13, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; A view of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy before the game between FC Dallas and the New England Revolution at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas defeats the New England Revolution 4-2 to win the U.S. Open Cup. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; A view of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy before the game between FC Dallas and the New England Revolution at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas defeats the New England Revolution 4-2 to win the U.S. Open Cup. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 US Open Cup kicks off in May, and on Wednesday US Soccer announced the draw and match locations for the first and second rounds.

The 2017 US Open Cup will be the 104th edition of the tournament. With a rich history in American soccer, the Cup has been center stage during periods of its existence, and pushed off to the sides at time (more recently).

For pretty much every team outside of the MLS, the Cup is seen as an exciting competition. A chance to push the club’s image, host a team from MLS, and dream of winning the Cup. And while some MLS sides take it more seriously (towards the end), others simply let their backups or youth see how far they can make it.

The truth is the Open Cup should be coveted, and for American soccer fans (especially those who want to see the game grow in the States), the tournament needs to be supported. The winning side gets $250,000, but more importantly a spot in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.

First Round Draw

The opening round set to take place over May 9th and 10th, will feature 56 clubs from the PDL, NPSL and Open Division winners. Notable matches from round one include (first team is the host):

  • Atlanta Silverbacks (NPSL) vs. SC United Bantams (PDL)
  • Charlotte Eagles (PDL) vs. Chattanooga FC (NPSL)
  • Ventura County Fusion (PDL) vs. Moreno Valley Fútbol Club (Calif.)
  • OSA FC (NPSL) vs. Sounders FC U-23 (PDL)

You can see the full opening round draw and match locations here at US Soccer.

Round Two Welcomes USL & NASL

On May 16th and 17th, the USL and NASL sides will join the action. As always the early rounds are drawn up based on geography in order to help the smaller clubs budgets, and to consider the short turnaround of two cup matches in two weeks.

It will be interesting to see how well some of the division two teams which are a part of MLS bids perform throughout this year’s tournament. Additionally, round two welcomes the New York Cosmos, whom already consider themselves a top tier team, regardless of the division they play in.

Next: NWSL Power Rankings: Preseason

Finally, keep an eye on the Fresno Fuego (PDL) vs. La Máquina FC (Calif.) match, as the winner will get to take on the USL’s Phoenix Rising FC. Why is that notable? Well for one they have Shawn Wright-Phillips, but more important Dieder Drogba is rumored to be signing with them any day now.

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