Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Round 2 Preview, Part 2 | OneFootball

We already covered the Open Cup second round April 1 fixtures in a previous article. Now we focus on the other twenty teams who will battle it out for a Round 3 spot on April 2.

Loudoun United FC (USL-C) vs. Virginia Dream FC (UPSL – VSSL)

6:30PM ET – Segra Field, Leesburg, VirginiaLoudoun are simply too good right now, I cannot see them falling to the Dream.

Portland Hearts of Pine (USL-1) vs. Hartford Athletic (USL-C)

6:30PM ET – Franklin Athletic Complex, Lewiston, Maine Portland’s first ever club match was a 4 – 0 win in a friendly on March 1st against… Hartford. Expect this game to be less friendly. Portland are 2W – 1D – 0L in their history, and will want to keep this undefeated streak going as long as possible.

Chattanooga FC (MLS Next Pro) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves (USL-1)

7:00PM ET – Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TennesseeI know there are many who frown at Open Cup fixtures between local rivals, but I love it. There’s something special about a derby. Plus, for many clubs whose year-to-year finances are uncertain, not having to travel is a major cost savings.

Greenville Triumph (USL-1) vs. One Knoxville (USL-1)

7:00PM ET – Paladin Stadium, Greenville, South CarolinaThese two teams are well acquainted, as they both play in USL-1. Greenville historically has the edge, with 5W – 1D – 1L in head-to-head play. Both teams currently have the same record in the league, making this a toss-up.

Westchester SC (USL-1) vs. New York Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL)

7:00PM ET – The Stadium at Memorial Field, Mount Vernon, New YorkThe amateur spoilers from Astoria, Queens, whose club was founded back in 1974, will head over the East River to Mount Vernon, NY. They will take on the brand-spanking-new USL-1 club Westchester SC. This will be Westchester’s fourth game ever, and their first before a home crowd. No matter the outcome, some history will be made.

FC Naples (USL-1) vs. Little Rock Rangers (USL-2)

7:30PM ET – Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Naples, FloridaUSL-1 expansion franchises have all performed strongly in the Open Cup so far, and FC Naples is part of that trend. Undefeated in five games across all comps, they will face a stubborn foe in Little Rock. Rangers upset the USL-C Birmingham Legion at home two weeks ago; we’ll see if they can do it again on the road.

Forward Madison FC (USL-1) vs. FC Tulsa (USL-C)

7:30PM ET – Breese Stevens Field, Madison, WisconsinI admit to having a bit of a soft spot for Madison. Maybe it’s the plastic flamingo lawn ornament (which is the official bird of the city) on their crest, with a color scheme that’s more Miami than Madison. But their soccer is high-octane and fun, and they genuinely seem to enjoy themselves. None of this is a dig at FC Tulsa, and this should be an exciting game.

Des Moines Menace (USL-2) vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)

8:30PM ET – Valley Stadium (USA), West Des Moines, IowaAnother team whose crest I love… this time it’s the retro anthropomorphized soccer ball of Des Moines Menace. Call me crazy, but I smell upset here. Mainly because I want to see Thierry Henry’s reaction when he sees the Menace crest.

Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro) vs. Spokane Velocity FC (USL-1)

10:30PM ET – Starfire Sports Stadium, Tukwila, WashingtonA few days ago, Spokane thumped Greenville 4 – 0. So they’ve got some momentum coming into this one. Tacoma is the academy team of the Seattle Sounders, and they’re no pushovers. Expect a terse, calculated match here.

Ventura County FC (MLS Next Pro) vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)

10:30PM ET – Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CaliforniaVentura Country had the most lopsided Round 1 win, a 7 – 0 shellacking of Laguna United FC.  Forward Aaron Bibout completed the Cup’s first hat-trick, and was transferred to Västerås SK in Sweden’s second tier a few days later. Without his contributions, I don’t see this academy team upsetting a seasoned USL Championship side.