CHICAGO (April 24, 2014) – The competition format and pairings for the first two rounds of the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup are set with the largest field in the tournament’s modern era (1995-present), kicking off on May 7 with eight matches.
The 101st edition of the tournament features 80 teams, an increase from the then-record 68 that took the field last year. The expansion results in both the largest number of amateur teams (42) in the tournament proper—exceeding the previous record of 34 set last year—as well as the largest contingent of pro clubs (38, surpassing last year’s record of 34), with all Division I, II and III professional sides participating for the third consecutive year. An additional record for the competition will see 24 second-round matches played, exceeding the previous high of 18 in a single round (2013 first round).
A new feature will be the prospect that many pro teams will have to play an early-round Open Cup match on a weekend date (a first in the competition’s modern era). This scheduling opportunity for fourth round games June 14-15 is the result of a league break Division I (Major League Soccer) and II (North American Soccer League) clubs will take during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, recognized as U.S. Soccer’s National Club Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion for 100 consecutive years dating back to 1914. This year’s winner will earn $250,000 and have its name engraved on the historic Dewar Challenge Trophy, one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports. The runner-up will take home $60,000, while the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will earn a $15,000 cash prize. D.C. United is the defending U.S. Open Cup champion, having won its third tournament title (following triumphs in 1996 and 2008) after a tense 1-0 road victory over Real Salt Lake on Oct. 1, 2013. In 1999, the competition was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.
Tournament Format and Match DatesThe 2014 U.S. Open Cup will be conducted on a single-elimination, one-game-knockout basis utilizing a tiered-bracket format. Teams will be paired geographically. In the event that three or more teams are from the same proximity, pairings for these teams will be made by random selection. Pairings will be arranged to prevent the possibility of a lower division team playing a parent club (e.g. Portland Timbers U-23s [PDL] will not be pitted against the Portland Timbers [MLS], should both teams be in the competition in the same round) except for the Final.
- First Round—May 7 (16 amateur teams: 5 PDL, 4 USASA regional qualifiers, 5 NPSL, 1 US Club Soccer, 1 USSSA): Teams from the same qualifying pool cannot be paired with each other.
- Second Round—May 14 (8 First Round winners, 26 remaining amateur teams [14 PDL, 6 USASA regional qualifiers, 6 NPSL], and 14 Division III [USL] clubs): Teams from the same qualifying pool cannot be paired with each other.
- Third Round—May 28 (24 Second Round winners and 8 Division II [NASL] clubs): Each Division II team will be matched geographically to play the winner of a specific Second Round pairing. The winners of the 16 remaining Second Round matches not paired with a Division II side will play each other.
- Fourth Round—June 10-18 (16 Third Round winners vs. Division I [MLS] clubs): Each Division I team will be matched geographically to play the winner of a specific Third Round pairing. The exact date for each match will be determined by the club selected as the home team from among those dates where the visiting team doesn’t have a league game already scheduled. The date selected must allow the visiting team at least two rest days before and after the match date.
- Fifth Round—June 24-25 (16 Fourth Round winners face each other): Each Fourth Round pair will be matched geographically with another Fourth Round pair to determine the Fifth Round possibilities.
- Quarterfinal (Sixth) Round—July 8-9: Each Fifth Round pair will be matched geographically with another Fifth Round pair to determine the Quarterfinal Round possibilities.
- Semifinal Round—Aug. 12-13: Each Quarterfinal Round pair will be matched geographically with another Quarterfinal Round pair to determine the Semifinal Round possibilities.
- Final—Sept. 30-Oct. 1
2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Participating Teams
Major League Soccer (Division I): All 16 U.S.-based teams, entering in the Fourth Round:
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Chicago Fire</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Houston Dynamo</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Portland Timbers</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Chivas USA</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">LA Galaxy</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Real Salt Lake</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Colorado Rapids</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">New England Revolution</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">San Jose Earthquakes</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Columbus Crew</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">New York Red Bulls</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Seattle Sounders FC</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">D.C. United</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Philadelphia Union</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Sporting Kansas City</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">FC Dallas</p> |
North American Soccer League (Division II): All eight U.S.-based teams, entering in the Third Round:
<p>Atlanta Silverbacks</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Indy Eleven</p> |
<p>San Antonio Scorpions</p> |
<p>Carolina RailHawks</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Minnesota United FC</p> |
<p>Tampa Bay Rowdies</p> |
<p>Fort Lauderdale Strikers</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">New York Cosmos</p> |
USL (Division III): All 14 teams, entering in the Second Round:
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Arizona United</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">LA Galaxy II</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Richmond Kickers</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Charleston Battery</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Oklahoma City Energy</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Rochester Rhinos</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Charlotte Eagles</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Orange County Blues</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Sacramento Republic</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Dayton Dutch Lions</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Orlando City SC</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Wilmington Hammerheads</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Harrisburg City Islanders</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Pittsburgh Riverhounds</p> |
PDL (Amateur Division): Nineteen of 56 U.S.-based teams, with 14 entering in the Second Round and five in the First Round. Clubs from each of nine regional divisions qualified based on 2013 regular season records:
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Austin Aztex</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">LA Misioneros<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Portland Timbers U-23s</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Baltimore Bohemians</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Michigan Bucks</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Reading United A.C.</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Carolina Dynamo</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Ocala Stampede</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Real Colorado Foxes</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Fresno Fuego</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Ocean City Nor’easters (N.J.)</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Ventura County Fusion<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">GPS Portland Phoenix (Maine)<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Orlando City U23s</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Vermont Voltage<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Jersey Express</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Panama City Beach Pirates</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Western Mass. Pioneers<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Laredo Heat</p> |
U.S. Adult Soccer Association regional qualifiers: Ten teams from qualifying competitions held in each of the four U.S. Soccer regions from 63 participating at the local and state levels, with six clubs entering in the Second Round and four in the First Round.
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Region I (East):</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Region III (South):</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Region IV (West):</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> Icon FC (New Jersey)</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> NTX Rayados (N. Texas)</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> Cal FC (Cal. South)</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> N.Y. Greek Americans<br>
(Eastern N.Y.)</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> Red Force (Florida)<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> PSA Elite (Cal. South)<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Region II (Midwest):</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Wild Card Entries:</p> |
|
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> Des Moines Menace (Iowa)</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> Mass Premier Soccer<sup>1</sup></p> |
|
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> Schwaben AC (Illinois)</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;"> RWB Adria (Illinois)<sup>1</sup></p> |
National Premier Soccer League (a USASA-affiliated national league): Eleven teams from 80 in the league, with six clubs entering in the Second Round and five in the First Round.
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Brooklyn Italians</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Greater Binghamton Thunder</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">RVA FC (Richmond, Va.)</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">CD Aguiluchos (Oakland)<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Jacksonville United</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">San Diego Flash<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Chattanooga FC</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Tulsa Athletics</p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Detroit City FC<sup>1</sup></p> |
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">New York Red Bulls U-23s<sup>1</sup></p> |
US Club Soccer (an amateur-level Organization Member of U.S. Soccer): A single qualifier from eight who competed will enter in the First Round.
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Team TBD at time of announcement</p> |
U.S. Specialty Sports Association (an amateur-level Organization Member of U.S. Soccer): A single qualifier from eight who competed will enter in the First Round.
<p style="page-break-after: avoid;">Colorado Rovers</p> |
1 Team entering in First Round
2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ScheduleFirst Round Schedule
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Game</strong> |
<strong>Time/Result</strong> |
<strong>Venue</strong> |
<p>May 7</p> |
<p>FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)</p> |
7 p.m. ET |
<p>Deering High School; Portland, Maine</p> |
<p>May 7</p> |
<p>RWB Adria (USASA) at Detroit City FC (NPSL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Stevenson High School; Livonia, Mich.</p> |
<p>May 7</p> |
<p>Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) at Western Mass. Pioneers (PDL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Mass.</p> |
<p>May 7</p> |
<p>Vermont Voltage (PDL) at New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL)</p> |
<p>8 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Red Bull Training Facility; Whippany, N.J.</p> |
<p>May 7</p> |
<p>Red Force (USASA) at Colorado Rovers (USSSA)</p> |
<p>8 p.m. MT</p> |
<p>Shea Stadium; Highlands Ranch, Colo.</p> |
<p>May 7</p> |
<p>CD Aguiluchos (NPSL) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>Ventura College; Ventura, Calif.</p> |
<p>May 7</p> |
<p>TBD (US Club Soccer) at San Diego Flash (NPSL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>Mira Mesa High School; Mira Mesa, Calif.</p> |
<p>May 7</p> |
<p>LA Misioneros FC (PDL) at PSA Elite (USASA)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>StubHub Center Training Field; Carson, Calif.</p> |
Second Round Schedule
<strong>Date</strong> |
<strong>Game</strong> |
<strong>Time/Result</strong> |
<strong>Venue</strong> |
<p>May 13</p> |
<p>Arizona United SC (USL) at Portland Timbers U-23s (PDL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>Providence Park; Portland, Ore.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Jacksonville United FC (NPSL) at Orlando City U23s (PDL)</p> |
<p>4:30 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, Fla.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Dayton Dutch Lions (USL) at Schwaben AC (USASA)</p> |
<p>4 p.m. CT</p> |
<p>Schwaben Athletic Club; Buffalo Grove, Ill.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Icon FC (USASA) at Baltimore Bohemians (PDL)</p> |
<p>5:30 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Calvert Hall College High School; Towson, Md.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL) / Vermont Voltage (PDL) winner at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>New York Greek American Atlas (USASA) at Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Carey Stadium; Ocean City, N.J.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Greater Binghamton FC Thunder (NPSL) at Reading United A.C. (PDL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Gurski Stadium; Reading, Pa.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Richmond Kickers (USL) at RVA FC (Richmond Virginia FC) (NPSL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Sports Backers Stadium; Richmond, Va.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Deering Memorial Field; Portland, Maine</p> |
<p> or</p> |
|||
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) at FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL)</p> |
<p>7:05 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Whitehall H.S. Soccer Stadium; Whitehall, Pa.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Carolina Dynamo (PDL) at Charlotte Eagles (USL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Queens University Sports Complex; Charlotte, N.C.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Michigan Bucks (PDL) at Detroit City FC (NPSL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Stevenson High School; Livonia, Mich.</p> |
<p> or</p> |
|||
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>RWB Adria (USASA) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Ultimate Soccer Arenas; Pontiac, Mich.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Ocala Stampede (PDL) at Orlando City (USL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, Fla.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Panama City Beach Pirates (PDL) at Charleston Battery (USL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) at Chattanooga FC (NPSL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, Tenn.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Western Mass. Pioneers (PDL) / Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) winner at Rochester Rhinos (USL)</p> |
<p>7:35 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, N.Y.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Brooklyn Italians SC (NPSL) at Jersey Express (PDL)</p> |
<p>8 p.m. ET</p> |
<p>NJIT Soccer Stadium; Newark, N.J.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL) at Tulsa Athletics (NPSL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. CT</p> |
<p>Tulsa Athletics Stadium; Tulsa, Okla.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) at Des Moines Menace (USASA)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. CT</p> |
<p>Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, Iowa</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>NTX Rayados (USASA) at Austin Aztex (PDL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. CT</p> |
<p>House Park; Austin, Texas</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Orange County Blues (USL) at Fresno Fuego (PDL)</p> |
<p>6 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>Chukchansi Park; Fresno, Calif.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Colorado Rovers (USSSA) / Red Force (USASA) winner at Laredo Heat (PDL)</p> |
<p>8:15 p.m. CT</p> |
<p>Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex; Laredo, Texas</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Sacramento Republic (USL) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>Ventura College; Ventura, Calif.</p> |
<p> or</p> |
|||
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>CD Aguiluchos (NPSL) at Sacramento Republic (USL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>Charles C. Hughes Stadium; Sacramento, Calif.</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>PSA Elite (USASA) / LA Misioneros FC (PDL) winner at San Diego Flash (NPSL)</p> |
<p>7 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>Mira Mesa High School; Mira Mesa, Calif.</p> |
<p> or</p> |
|||
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>TBD (US Club Soccer) at PSA Elite (USASA)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>Irvine Stadium; Irvine, Calif.</p> |
<p> or</p> |
|||
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>TBD (US Club Soccer) vs. LA Misioneros FC (PDL)</p> |
<p>TBD</p> |
<p>TBD</p> |
<p>May 14</p> |
<p>Cal FC (USASA) at LA Galaxy II (USL)</p> |
<p>7:30 p.m. PT</p> |
<p>StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium; Carson, Calif.</p> |
