One of the darlings of competitions past, Chicago House AC will face fellow Chicagoland opponent, Edgewater Castle FC in a hunt for a return to the Tournament Proper. Both teams play in the Midwest Premier League, but in different divisions. Two years ago, Chicago House qualified for the tournament, then shocked the watching world with two wins (one against USL League One pros Forward Madison) before exiting in the Third Round against MLS’ Chicago Fire.
House is, of course, run by the incomparable Peter Wilt. A former Open Cup-champion executive from his MLS days, he knows a thing or two about this competition. And it’s no coincidence that his newest club has qualified for three consecutive Open Cup tournaments via these torturous Qualifying Rounds.
The Mid-Atlantic qualifying bracket features plenty of well-known teams, including a First Round clash between Steel Pulse FC and Maryland Bobcats II. These clubs have a deep history facing each other through the years. EPSL powerhouse NoVa FC will also have a match this weekend, squaring off against United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) side VA Revolution Pro.
The schedule reads like a who’s who of amateur soccer in the United States – no exception out West.
Western Heavies out in Force
On the West Coast, clubs from one of the oldest and most prestigious city leagues in the country will go head-to-head. The San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL) has been in continuous operation since 1902 and its clubs have hoisted the Open Cup trophy no fewer than four times.
SF Vikings SC were founded in 1922 and are a soccer institution in the Bay Area, while their opponent, fellow SFSFL side International San Francisco, were founded in 2021. The contrast between the club’s respective histories couldn’t be starker, but since the game won’t be played in the history books, the action should be fierce – and the result very much up for grabs.
When you compare the opening rounds of Qualifying to the Open Cup Final we saw ten days ago, there’s plenty of differences. The matches played this weekend won’t hold a candle to the lights and grandeur of the Decider in LA. The clubs that played in that Final were highly-paid professionals, used to fancy dressing rooms and the finest hotels. The teams that begin battling to qualify this weekend will be leaving their day jobs on Friday to prepare for their matches on Saturday and Sunday.
That’s the beauty of the Open Cup and one part isn’t better than the other.
