The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup contests its 108th edition of competition in 2023 as the largest professional knockout cup tournament in the United States is underway once again.
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the U.S. Open Cup returned in 2022 with MLS side Orlando City SC lifting the trophy
This season, 99 clubs compete in the event, hailing from across the nation as well as up and down the U.S. professional and semi-professional ranks. A top-tier (MLS) club has won the competition every year dating back to 1999 when the Rochester Rhinos beat MLS side Colorado Rapids 2-0 in the final.
That streak continued, as the Houston Dynamo lifted the trophy in 2023, beating Inter Miami 2-1 in the final with Lionel Messi forced to look on from the sidelines due to injury.
The complete schedule, every score, and all the highlights for each round follows below.
- 1st Round: Mar. 21-23 (Draw: Feb. 3)
- 2nd Round: April 4-11 (Draw: Feb. 16)
- 3rd Round: April 25-26 (Draw: April 6)
- Round of 32: May 9-10 (Draw: April 27)
- Round of 16: May 23-24 (Draw: May 11)
- Quarterfinals: June 6-7 (Draw: May 11)
- Semifinals: Aug. 23 (Draw: Aug. 23, 2023)
- Open Cup Final: Sept. 27
MORE: List of top young players in MLS for 2023 league season
US Open Cup Final (September 27)
The Messi Magic continued as Leo provided two assists in a wild two-goal comeback, and Inter Miami progressed to the U.S. Open Cup final in late September. They took on the Houston Dynamo, who won an extra-time thriller against Real Salt Lake in the semifinals.
It would not be for Inter Miami, as they fell 2-1 in the final to Houston, while Lionel Messi looked on from the sidelines, missing the match due to injury.
| Date | Time (ET) | Fixture | TV/Streaming |
| Wed, Sep. 27 | 8:30 p.m. | Inter Miami 1-2 Houston Dynamo | HIGHLIGHTS |
US Open Cup Semifinals (August 23)
Lionel Messi will waltz into the semifinals as Inter Miami reached this stage without him, but they now have the benefit of his services against MLS Supporters' Shield leaders FC Cincinnati.
The other semifinal features Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake, who are both in playoff positions in the MLS Western Conference.
All lower-league participants have been eliminated, and all that remain are four MLS clubs. The only one of those teams to have previously won this competition is the Houston Dynamo.
| Date | Fixture | |
| Wed, Aug. 23 | FC Cincinnati 3-3 Inter Miami (Inter Miami win 5-4 on pens) | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, Aug. 23 | Houston Dynamo 3-1 Real Salt Lake (a.e.t.) | HIGHLIGHTS |
US Open Cup Quarterfinals (June 6-7)
- 6: Major League Soccer
- 2: USL Championship (CH)
Both USL Championships sides left in the Round of 16 progressed to the quarterfinals, as Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Birmingham Legion both advanced past MLS opponents last time out.
| Date | Match | |
| Tue, Jun. 6 | FC Cincinnati 3, Pittsburgh Riverhounds (CH) 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, Jun. 6 | Chicago Fire 1, Houston Dynamo 4 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, Jun. 7 | Birmingham Legion (CH) 0, Inter Miami 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, Jun. 7 | Real Salt Lake 3, LA Galaxy 2 | HIGHLIGHTS |
US Open Cup Round of 16 (May 23-24)
- 14: Major League Soccer
- 2: USL Championship (CH)
Only two lower-league teams remained at the Round of 16, with the Birmingham Legion and Pittsburgh Riverhounds both from the second-tier USL Championship. Otherwise, it was all MLS as the competition raced towards a conclusion.
There was a delicious matchup on the west coast as El Trafico took the field with the LA Galaxy traveling to visit defending league champions LAFC. Additionally, the cup will officially be changing hands as defending champions Orlando City SC were eliminated last round and did not reach this stage.
| Date | Match | |
| Tue, May 23 | Inter Miami 2, Nashville SC 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 23 | NY Red Bulls 1, FC Cincinnati 1 (FC Cincy win 5-3 on PK's) | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 23 | Houston Dynamo 4, Minnesota United 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 23 | LAFC 0, LA Galaxy 2 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 24 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds (CH) 1, Columbus Crew 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 24 | Birmingham Legion (CH) 1, Charlotte FC 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 24 | Austin FC 0, Chicago Fire 2 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 24 | Colorado Rapids 0, Real Salt Lake 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
US Open Cup Round of 32 (May 9-10)
- 24: Major League Soccer
- 8: USL Championship (CH)
In the Round of 32, the 24 winners from the 3rd Round of the competition joined the final eight MLS teams that have not yet entered the competition.
The draw took place on April 27 with matchups selected from eight geographical groups of four teams each. Two matchups emerge from each group.
The only two MLS teams that didn't advance to the Round of 32 were Atlanta United (loss to Memphis 901 FC) and the San Jose Earthquakes (loss to Monterey Bay FC). The second-tier USL Championship teams are noted in the table below with "CH". (Note: Home teams listed first.)
| Date | Match | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, May 9 | Charlotte FC 1, Orlando City 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 9 | Inter Miami 1, Charleston Battery (CH) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 9 | NY Red Bulls 1, D.C. United 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 9 | New England Revolution 0, Pittsburgh Riverhounds (CH) 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 9 | Chicago Fire 2, St. Louis City SC 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 9 | Minnesota United 3, Philadelphia Union 3 (MN United win 7-6 on PK's) | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 9 | Sacramento Republic (CH) 2, Colorado Rapids 4 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tue, May 9 | Monterey Bay FC (CH) 2, LAFC 2 (LAFC win 5-4 on PK's) | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 10 | Austin FC 2, New Mexico United (CH) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 10 | Birmingham Legion (CH) 3, Memphis 901 FC (CH) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 10 | Nashville SC 2, FC Dallas 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 10 | Portland Timbers 3, Real Salt Lake 4 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 10 | Loudoun United (CH) 1, Columbus Crew 5 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 10 | FC Cincinnati 1, NYCFC 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 10 | LA Galaxy 3, Seattle Sounders 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| Wed, May 10 | Houston Dynamo 1, Sporting Kansas City 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
US Open Cup 3rd Round (April 25-26)
- 26: Major League Soccer (MLS)
- 19: USL Championship (CH)
- 4: USL League One (USL1)
- 2: National Independent Soccer Association (NISA)
- 1: National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)
- 1: United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA)
(Note: Home teams listed first)
| Date | Match | |
|---|---|---|
| April 25 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds (CH) 2, Maryland Bobcats (NISA) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 25 | Charleston Battery (CH) 1, Charlotte Independence (USL1) 0 (a.e.t.) | |
| April 25 | New England Revolution (MLS) 2, Hartford Athletic (CH) 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 25 | Charlotte FC (MLS) 4, South Georgia Tormenta (USL1) 1 | |
| April 25 | Detroit City FC (CH) 1, Minnesota United (MLS) 3 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 25 | St. Louis City SC (MLS) 5, Union Omaha (USL1) 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 25 | Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 3, Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 25 | Monterey Bay FC (CH) 1, San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | Loudoun United (CH) 5, Flower City Union (NISA) 0 | |
| April 26 | FC Cincinnati (MLS) 1, Louisville City FC (CH) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | Atlanta United (MLS) 1, Memphis 901 FC (CH) 2 (a.e.t.) | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | Miami FC (CH) 2, Inter Miami (MLS) 2 (Inter Miami win 5-3 on PKs) | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | D.C. United (MLS) 1, Richmond Kickers (USL1) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | Tampa Bay Rowdies (CH) 0, Houston Dynamo (MLS) 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | Columbus Crew (MLS) 1, Indy Eleven (CH) 0 | |
| April 26 | Birmingham Legon (CH) 1, Chattanooga FC (NISA) 1 (Birmingham win 4-3 on PKs) | |
| April 26 | Chicago Fire (MLS) 3, Chicago House AC (USASA) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | Nashville SC (MLS) 1, San Antonio FC (CH) 0 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | Colorado Rapids (MLS) 3, Northern Colorado Hailstorm (USL1) 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | New Mexico United (CH) 2, Phoenix Rising FC (CH) 1 | |
| April 26 | Sacramento Republic FC (CH) 1, Oakland Roots SC (CH) 0 | |
| April 26 | Seattle Sounders (MLS) 5, San Diego Loyal (CH) 4 (a.e.t.) | HIGHLIGHTS |
| April 26 | Las Vegas Lights (CH) 1, Real Salt Lake (MLS) 3 (a.e.t.) | |
| April 26 | Portland Timbers (MLS) 3, Orange County SC (CH) 1 | HIGHLIGHTS |
US Open Cup 2nd Round (April 4-11)
- 24: USL Championship (CH)
- 12: USL League One (USL1)
- 9: National Independent Soccer Association (NISA)
- 6: National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)
- 4: USL League Two (USL2)
- 1: Midwest Premier League (MWPL)
- 1: United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
- 1: Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL)
- 1: NISA Nation (NISAN)
- 1: MLS Next Pro (MLSNP)
(Note: Home teams listed first)
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| April 4 | Miami FC (CH) 3, Jacksonville Armada (NPSL) 1 |
| April 4 | Hartford Athletic (CH) 3, Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL) 0 |
| April 4 | One Knoxville SC (USL1) 1, Memphis 901 FC (CH) 2 (a.e.t.) |
| April 4 | Charleston Battery (CH) 4, Savannah Clovers FC (NISA) 1 |
| April 4 | Detroit City FC (CH) 1, Gold Star FC Detroit (NISA) 0 |
| April 4 | Tampa Bay Rowdies (CH) 2, Nona FC (USL2) 0 |
| April 4 | Flower City Union (NISA) 3, Manhattan SC (USL2) 1 |
| April 4 | San Antonio FC (CH) 2, Club de Lyon (NISA) 1 (a.e.t.) |
| April 4 | New Mexico United (CH) 6, UDA Soccer (UPSL) 0 |
| April 4 | Oakland Roots SC (CH) 3, El Farolito SC (NPSL) 1 |
| April 5 | Charlotte Independence (USL1) 2, Appalachian FC (NPSL) 0 |
| April 5 | Indy Eleven (CH) 3, Michigan Stars FC (NISA) 1 (a.e.t.) |
| April 5** | Rochester New York FC (MLSNP) |
| April 5 | Louisville City FC (CH) 1, Lexington SC (USL1) 0 |
| April 5 | Loudoun United FC (CH) 2, North Carolina FC (USL1) 1 (a.e.t.) |
| April 5 | Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA) 3, Ocean City Nor'easters (USL2) 2 (a.e.t.) |
| April 5 | Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL1) 1, Birmingham Legion FC (CH), 4 |
| April 5 | South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL1) 2, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (CH) 1 |
| April 5 | Des Moines Menace (USL2) 1, Chattanooga FC (NISA) 4 |
| April 5 | Union Omaha (USL1) 2, El Paso Locomotive (CH) 0 |
| April 5 | Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) 1, FC Tulsa (CH) 0 |
| April 5 | Co. Springs Switchbacks (CH) 1, Northern Co. Hailstorm (USL1) 3 (a.e.t.) |
| April 5 | Orange County SC (CH) 5, Capo FC (NISAN) 0 |
| April 5 | Sacramento Republic FC (CH) 5, Crossfire Redmond (NPSL) 4 (a.e.t.) |
| April 5 | San Diego Loyal SC (CH) 2, Albion San Diego (NISA) 0 |
| April 5 | Central Valley Fuego (USL1) 1, Monterey Bay FC (CH) 3 (a.e.t.) |
| April 5 | Las Vegas Lights (CH) 4, Los Angeles Force (NISA) 0 |
| April 5 | Phoenix Rising (CH) 1, Greenville Triumph SC (USL1) 0 |
| April 6 | Richmond Kickers (USL1) 3, Cleveland SC (NPSL) 2 |
| April 11 | Forward Madison FC (USL1) 2, Chicago House AC (MWPL) 3 (a.e.t.) |
** Pittsburgh Riverhounds advanced via forfeit after Rochester NY FC (formerly Rochester Rhinos) ceased operations in March.
US Open Cup 1st Round (March 21-23)
In the 1st Round, all matchups were set up geographically rather than via random draw to ensure travel distances and costs were manageable. Here's the breakdown of teams in this round by league:
- 10: USL League Two (USL2)
- 8: National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)
- 2: United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
- 2: Midwest Premier League (MWPL)
- 1: National Independent Soccer Association (NISA)
- 1: United States Special Sports Association (USSSA)
- 1: Eastern Premier Soccer League (EPSL)
- 1: United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (USLP)
- 1: San Francisco Soccer Football League (SFSFL)
- 1: NISA Nation (NISAN)
(Note: Home teams listed first)
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| Tue, Mar. 21 | West Chester United (USLP) 1, Ocean City Nor'easters (USL2) 3 |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | El Farolito (NPSL) 3, Int'l San Francisco (SFSFL) 0 (a.e.t.) |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | Appalachian FC (NPSL) 2, NC Fusion U-23 (USL2) 2 (Appalachian win 3-0 on PKs) |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | Manhattan SC (USL2) 2, FC Motown (NPSL) 1 (a.e.t.) |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | Club de Lyon B (NISA) 0, Nona FC (USL2) 1 |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | Chicago House AC (MWPL) 1, Bavarian United (MWPL) 0 |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | Beaman United FC (UPSL) 0, Des Moines Menace (USL2) 3 |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | Tulsa Athletic (NPSL) 1, Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USL2) 0 |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | UDA Soccer (UPSL) 1, Park City Red Wolves (USL2) 0 |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | Project 510 (USL2) 0, Crossfire Premier (NPSL) 3 |
| Wed, Mar. 22 | Ventura County Fusion (USL2) 1, Capo FC (NISAN) 4 |
| Thu, Mar. 23 | Cleveland SC (NPSL) 1, Lionsbridge FC (USL2) 0 |
| Thu, Mar. 23 | Jacksonville Armada FC (NPSL) 1, Miami United FC (USSSA) 1 (Jacksonville win 9-8 on PKs) |
| Thu, Mar. 23 | Hartford City FC (NPSL) 1, Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL) 2 |
How to Watch 2022 U.S. Open Cup
- Date: March 21 through September 27, 2023
- TV: TSN & TNT (select matches)
- Streaming: Fubo, HBO Max, B/R Football YouTube page, CBS Golazo Network, club streams
As part of the new rights deal between U.S. Soccer and Turner Sports, select matches from the early rounds of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup can be seen on the Bleacher Report Football YouTube page.
For later rounds, matches are expected to be shown on other Turner Sports properties, including linear channels TNT and TBS, as well as streaming platform HBO Max. Any matches televised on TNT or TBS can also be found on Fubo.
Last year, U.S. Soccer made every match in the U.S. Open Cup available to view on their YouTube page, allowing fans of smaller clubs in early rounds to watch their teams play. That will not be the case this season, as only select early round matches will be made available on the B/R Football YouTube channel. However, U.S. Soccer GM J.T. Batson did say that some clubs have the capability to broadcast the matches themselves.
Open Cup teams
In the 2023 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, participating teams hail from 11 different leagues and tiers across American soccer.
While the overall participation of 99 teams is down from the 103 clubs that took part last year, this year's field of participants includes a record 72 professional clubs. Of those participants, 21 of them are taking part in their first U.S. Open Cup, including new MLS side St. Louis City SC.
Canadian MLS clubs are not eligible as the competition is a U.S. domestic tournament only.
| League | Division / Tier | Total Teams | Round Entered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Soccer (MLS) | 1st | 26 | 3rd Round/ Round of 32 | |
| USL Championship | 2nd | 24 | 2nd Round | |
| USL League One | 3rd | 12 | 2nd Round | |
| National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) | 3rd | 9 | 2nd Round | |
| USL League Two | Semi-Pro | 10 | 1st Round | |
| National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) | Semi-Pro | 8 | 1st Round | |
| Various local leagues (UPSL, EPSL, CFSL) | N/A (incl. amateur) | 10 | 1st Round | |
| 99 |
