Whew. With the exception of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Steel City FC tie that was postponed to next week, we’ll wrap up the first round of U.S. Open Cup ties tonight.
Carolina Core FC (MLSNP) vs. Virginia Dream FC (UPSL)
6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT
Truist Point – High Point, NC
Watch livestream on YouTube (free)
Last year Virginia Dream shocked many by toppling Richmond Kickers 2-1. They lost to Loudoun United 4-2 in the next round, but now have a taste for the cupset. Caroline Core play in the MLS Next Pro league but are independent; that league still classifies as “pro” for the seeding criteria in Round 1. This is a favorable draw for Dream; Core have lost their last four matches, and conceded 3.1 goals in their last five.
Charlotte Independence (USL-1) vs. Ristozi FC (NPSL)
6:30pm ET/3:30pm PT
American Legion Memorial Stadium – Charlotte, NC
Watch livestream on YouTube (free)
Ristozi is a newly formed Baltimore club whose Round 1 berth was secured by winning the NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference and East Region Championships in their first season in the league. This will be their inaugural match in the Open Cup. Charlotte Independence have never missed an Open Cup since their founding in 2014 (outside of the COVID years). They’ll like their chances.
Flint City Bucks (USL-2) vs. Forward Madison FC (USL-1)
6:30pm ET/3:30pm PT
Don Batchelor Stadium – Grand Blanc, MI
Watch livestream on YouTube (free)
Flint City are the USL-2 Central Conference champions, and unlike 2020 when the club declined their spot in the Cup, they are embracing this year’s opportunity. It will be their first appearance since 2019, and their 15th overall. They will be hosting USL-1’s eclectic Forward Madison, who finished the 2025 season in 10th place with 8W 11D 11L.
Lexington SC (USL-C) vs. Flower City Union (NPSL)
7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT
Lexington SC Stadium – Lexington, KY
Watch livestream on YouTube (free)
As one of the NPSL’s automatic byes, Flower City Union avoided having to grind through the late 2025 qualifying rounds. This means that although they are rested, they haven’t played a competitive match since September 2025. They won the Great Lakes conference with 8W 1D 1L and only 8 goals conceded. In a departure from most Round 1 fixtures, they’ll have to travel from Rochester, NY to Kentucky. Lexington SC had best watch their back, Flower City might just have some thorns.
Westchester SC (USL-1) vs. NY Renegades (UPSL)
7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
Mount Vernon Memorial Field – Mount Vernon, NY
Watch livestream on YouTube (free)
The cupset crowd on YouTube chat will be clamoring for a win by NY Renegades. The UPSL side are the only club that played all four qualifying rounds back in 2025, notching wins over American Soccer Club New York, New York Greek American SC and Lansdowne Yonkers FC (in extra time) before ultimately qualifying over Zum Schneider FC. Every match except Yonkers was decided by a single goal. This is a club with some grit and tenacity. This is Westchester’s second season ever, but they’ve already recorded two Open Cup victories even if their debut season saw them finish last in the USL-1 table.
Tennessee Tempo FC (UPSL) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL-1)
8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex – Murfreesboro, TN
Watch livestream on YouTube (free)
Tempo FC won the UPSL Spring Championship back in June 2025, booking them an Open Cup ticket. This will be their first appearance under this name (they participated in 2023 as Beaman United). They’ll probably struggle against Red Wolves, who finished third in the USL-1 last season and are among one of the stronger sides in that league.
Laredo Heat SC (USL-2) vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (USL-C)
8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT
PEG Energy Stadium – Laredo, TX
Watch livestream on YouTube (free)
Like all the USL-2 sides, Laredo Heat’s season doesn’t start until late May to allow collegiate players to compete. So whatever side they field here might not be fully reflective of last year’s squad. In fact, the Heat are starting a 17 year old high schooler Asael Montoya as the club embarks on their seventh Open Cup campaign. El Paso Locomotive should handle them without much trouble.
