The Fourth Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup marks the moment when most amateur dreams turn to dust. The entrance of 21 U.S.-based Major League Soccer (Division I) clubs usually spells doom for any remaining part-timers and many of the USL (Division II) pro sides who’ve done well to make it so far. Cupsets are not unheard of however, and a good number of lower division teams have made Quarter and Semifinal runs in recent editions of U.S. Soccer’s National Championship.
There are 16 games in total (eight on Tuesday, June 11 and eight more on Wednesday, June 12). Until the final whistle goes, anything is possible…
Amateur Dreams Alive in the OC
All eyes will be on Carson, California and the late game on Wednesday. Orange County FC – the lone remaining amateur side still kicking – face off against two-time tournament winners LA Galaxy [WATCH]. OCFC play their league games in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and are coached by U.S. National Team legend Paul Caligiuri. So far, they’ve been relishing the role of giant-killer with a pair of wins over USL Championship sides Orange County SC and Eric Wynalda’s Las Vegas Lights, while on the road in the Third Round.
Blake Frischknecht, Cody Shelton and Dakota Collins have been outstanding for the California amateurs, who are hoping to add to their growing list of Cupsets with one more against Coach Caligiuri’s old team (he finished his pro career winning the Open Cup Final with the Galaxy in 2001). “The psychological preparation for an amateur side at this stage of the U.S. Open Cup is totally different than what’s going on with the pros,” said Caligiuri. “I’ve been a part of championships at home and abroad, but there just seems to be something so special about what we’re doing in the Cup with Orange County Football Club.”
USL Underdogs Take Aim
There are nine Fourth Round contests that pit second division USL Championship teams against opposition from the top-of-the-heap Major League Soccer.
Columbus Crew hope to avoid a third straight loss in the Fourth Round when the Pittsburgh Riverhounds come to town [WATCH]. The visitors boast a well-balanced squad, bolstered by the recent development of 22-year-old home town midfielder Robbie Mertz, who recently scored his first goal for the club. “These games are intense and they need a winner,” said the former University of Michigan All-American. “Up against the Crew, we’re the underdogs so we can play free.”
