US Open Cup: NASL, USL learn potential pairings for Round 3
Pairing 5
- Miami FC (NASL)/South Florida Surf (PDL)
- Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL)/Jacksonville Armada U-23 (NPSL)
A potential Rowdies vs Miami FC showdown is one everyone should have circled on their calendar. The Rowdies were NASL mainstays until they swapped leagues this past offseason. Their league change, along with all of the antics of their owner, means any meeting with their former league mates will have enough drama for its own day-time soap opera. Both clubs seem to be some of the biggest league spenders, respectively, and their match would have plenty of firepower on the pitch to match the drama off of it.
Pairing 6
- Chicago FC United (PDL)/Grand Rapids FC (NPSL)/Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL)
- Richmond Kickers (USL)/Christos FC (USASA)
The Chicago FC United and Grand Rapids FC first round match had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather. Former Montreal Impact SuperDraft pick Pete Caringi scored a hat-trick for amateur side Christos FC in the first round. This pairing would feature one of the six possible USL vs USL matchups.
Pairing 7
- FC Cincinnati (USL)/AFC Cleveland (NPSL)
- Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (USASA)/Louisville City FC (USL)
AFC Cleveland is the reigning NPSL champions and surged late to get past Des Moines Menace in Round 1. Their matchup with FC Cincinnati should be entertaining. Cincinnati and Louisville City are rivals in USL and would love to meet in a cup derby.
Pairing 8
- FC Wichita (NPSL)/Saint Louis FC (USL)
- Michigan Bucks (PDL)/Indy Eleven (NASL)
Saint Louis FC and Indy Eleven have never met in cup play. Both are considered one of the more competitive clubs in their league, both on and off the field. An Open Cup meeting would open the door to another midwest rivalry in a budding soccer landscape. Neither team has been able to upset an MLS side in their short history, and either would love a chance to change that trend at the expense of the other.
Pairing 9
- Houston Dutch Lions FC (NPSL)/San Antonio FC (NASL)
- Tulsa Roughnecks FC (NASL)/OKC Energy U23 (PDL)
San Antonio FC is arguably the top domestic club outside of MLS. We’ll just leave it at that. Tulsa will have to face the reserve squad of their league rivals, OKC Energy, before another USL vs USL showdown.
Pairing 10
- Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL)/FC Tucson (PDL)
- OKC Energy FC (USL)/Moreno Valley Fútbol Club (USASA)
FC Tucson is an amateur side with plenty of pro ambition. They’ll definitely have their hands full, as Colorado Springs have been one of the better USL sides through the first quarter of the season. The Energy, on the other hand, have not. OKC is the lowest ranked USL side in the competition. Moreno Valley is arguably the top amateur side outside in the nation. Both amateur sides will try to prevent a USL Western Conference matchup in Round 3.
Pairing 11
- Fresno Fuego (PDL)/Phoenix Rising FC (USL)
- San Francisco Deltas (NASL)/Burlingame Dragons FC (PDL)
The Fuego rocked Open Cup sleepers La Maquina 4-1 in a match many considered an upset given La Maquina’s recent cup success. Unfortunately for them, most casual fans will be hoping for a collision course with the professional sides. Phoenix Rising have made waves with their MLS bid, and more recently with the signing of Didier Drogba. Yes. That Drogba. The rebranded club also features Liga MX legend Omar Bravo and former Manchester City and Chelsea star Sean Wright-Phillips.
The Deltas are the NASL’s newest club and will be making their Open Cup debut. So far, they’ve been a very competitive NASL side in their inaugural season. A showdown against Phoenix will be one you won’t want to miss.
Pairing 12
- FC Golden State Force (PDL)/Orange County FC (USL)
- LA Wolves FC (USASA)/Chula Vista FC (USASA)
While this pairing is another amateur heavy grouping, there is still plenty of intrigues. LA Wolves have been associated with the newly announced NASL team in Orange County that will compete in the market against USL’s Orange County FC. The (orange?) seeds of a new rivalry are ready to be planted.
Pairing 13
- OSA FC (NPSL)/Reno 1868 FC (USL)
- Sacramento Republic FC (USL)/Anahuac FC (USASA)
The final pairing also covers the most distance, with OSA FC of Seattle, Reno 1868 in Nevada along with Las Vegas amateurs Anahuac FC, and Republic FC in California. Sacramento has become one of the flagship USL clubs, especially on the west coast, and will be looking to make cup noise for the first time in their short history.