If you’re unfamiliar with how this tournament works, here’s the high level overview:

• Six groups of six or seven teams
• Each team plays four group opponents: twice at home; twice away.
• Group play fixtures are played over the final weekends from April though July.
• Group winner and top two runners up move onto the knockout round.

You can read here for a more comprehensive take.

Group 3

Forward Madison FC vs. Indy Eleven

April 26 @ 7:00pm ET. Breese Stevens Field, Madison WI
Streaming on ESPN+ 
This is the first clash between these two clubs. Madison’s 2025 has been solidly mediocre. Indy Eleven have fared slightly worse. This fixture represents nothing but upside for either.

One Knoxville SC vs. FC Tulsa

April 26 @ 7:00pm ET. Covenant Health Park Knoxville TN
Streaming on ESPN+
Knoxville’s only loss this season came at the hands of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks deep into extra time. Otherwise they have been a dominant attacking force, outscoring opponents 13 to 6 and notching 5 wins and a draw. FC Tulsa found their ruthless streak last weekend in a 4 – 1 beatdown on Las Vegas. I expect fireworks in this fixture; at least four goals scored.

Birmingham Legion FC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves

April 27 @ 5:00pm ET. Protective Stadium, Birmingham AL
Streaming on ESPN+
Having been unceremoniously booted from the Open Cup with a first round loss to the fourth tier Little Rock Rangers, you bet Birmingham are approaching this game with the utmost seriousness. My advice to them is simple: DO NOT DRAW. Chattanooga have drawn six of their eight matches this year. Three of them resulted in a penalty shootout, which they won. Dear God, Legion, win this outright!

Group 4

Detroit City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

April 26 @ 4:00pm ET. Keyworth Stadium, Detroit MI
Streaming on ESPN+
As one of the USL-C vs. USL-C fixtures, this game lacks the lustre and novelty that some of the others have. All the same, I am giving Les Rouges the edge over the visiting ‘Hounds. Here’s why: Detroit is at home. Detroit has scored five more goals; both have the same number conceded. Detroit has Darren Smith, the (second) hottest striker in the USL.

Hartford Athletic vs. Portland Hearts of Pine

April 26 @ 4:00pm ET. Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford CT
Streaming on ESPN+
This will be the third meeting between these two teams in under two months. Both times, Portland has gotten the better of the higher tiered Hartford, though the second match in the Open Cup 2nd Round required extra time and a penalty shootout. Can this run of form continue for the visitors? No reason why not. Both sides 

Westchester SC vs. Rhode Island FC

April 27 @ 2:00pm ET. The Stadium at Memorial Field
Streaming on ESPN+
This could be another regional rivalry in the making. Westchester are one of the class of five brand new clubs in the USL League One this year, and the second located in the Northeast (please spare me the geographical arguments about the “correct” region New York belongs to). Rhode Island themselves have only one season under their belt, though they went all the way to the finals in 2024. Either way, given the timing on this kickoff you can flip from Liverpool’s victory lap to this game without missing a beat.