CD Faialense of Cambridge, Massachusetts host Buffalo’s FCY New York, who make the long trip south for a game that will see the winner reach the Tournament Proper for the first time.
“We want to be the amateur team that breaks through,” said Faialense player-coach Paul Correia, who’s eager to see his club – currently the toast of the Bay State Soccer League (BSSL) –take the next step up the ladder. “Every player on our roster right now is a former division-one college player – a lot of top guys fresh out of that competitive environment.”
The other two games that will kick off at 6pm ET on Saturday are Southern Indiana FC v Dalton United in New Albany, Indiana and New Jersey Alliance FC v Steel Pulse FC of Maryland.
“There’s a lot of great experience and great talent in this team,” said NJ Alliance star Marlon Preciado, UPSL national player of the year in 2009, who’s in a fitness race to be ready for the contest. “I think we’ve got what it takes to move on.” Preciado’s coach, Robert Kruk, is also in confident mood: “We identified the Open Cup as a big priority this year – it’s a next step for us.”
There’s a Pennsylvania blockbuster later on Saturday when West Chester United SC – coming off a pair of heavy wins in the last two rounds – host the historic Vereinigung Erzgebirge in a clash of sides in tip-top form. WCUSC are led by long-time coach Blaise Santangelo while VE Club boast former MLS and USL Championship standout Antoine Hoppenot in the squad. Both sides are looking to book a place in the Tournament Proper for a second consecutive year.
The Opening Day’s last All-or-Nothing game sees fresh-faced Virginia Dream take on fellow Virginians Aegean Hawks FC. While the Dream are only in their third year as a team, they’re looking to use the Open Cup as a springboard. “It would be incredible to make it through the Open Cup Qualifying,” said English-born captain Harri Hawkins. “The challenge of playing against pro teams is exciting, but I know we’re ready for it and that we’re capable of making a run and surprising some bigger teams.”
Saturday also sees nine Third Round games – with the winners moving on to a Fourth and Final Qualifying Matchday in early December. Three of those Third Rounders will be played in the Sunshine State of Florida, with O’Shea’s FC hosting SoFla powers Miami United FC, Palm Beach Flames SC traveling to take on Harbor City FC and FC American CFL Spurs – trying to reach a second straight Tournament Proper – taking on Inter Nona SC.
There’s a clutch of interesting Third Round contests out West on Saturday. 210 FC take on Houston Regals SCA in San Antonio in the lone Lone Star State contest of the Matchday. Las Vegas Legends FC roll the dice against Next Level Soccer in Nevada, while, out in California, we have three games with Real Galt FC hosting SFSFL giants and 2024 Open Cup participants International San Francisco, Laguna United FC playing Irvine FC and Valley 559 FC hitting the road to meet Bay Valley Suns Sports Club.
Last but not least in Third Round action on Saturday, Tulsa Athletic – the amateur darlings of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup – open the doors of their Hicks Park once again to take on Woodland Football Club.
Sunday USOC Fixtures Coast-to-Coast
November 17th will see two games with places in the 2025 Tournament Proper on the line (and seven contests in total).
There’s an all-New York battle on the cards as NY Renegades of the UPSL take on national amateur powers – and U.S. Open Cup regulars – Lansdowne Yonkers FC on Long Island (WATCH the GAME LIVE HERE). The Bhoys of Yonkers are aiming to return to the final stages of country’s oldest competition for the first time since 2023, while the Renegades – eliminated in the Third Qualifying Round by former Champions NY Pancyprian Freedoms last year – take aim at a debut in the Tournament Proper.
The last of the All-or-Nothing games of this Third Matchday pits familiar old Denver/Boulder-area foes Harpos FC against Azteca FC. The two know each other well as long-time members of the Colorado Premier League. But Azteca, who haven’t lost in Open Cup Qualifying in a stretch of 13 straight games, have the edge in recent meetings.
“Whoever is going to win this one is going to have to play some really good soccer and really fight for it,” said Daniel Whittle, the Harpos defender and a local police officer. “Games between Harpos and Azteca are always weird and tough – and you never know what’s going to happen. We’ll really have to bring it.”
