Upsets in U.S. Open Cup Qualification
Recapping the amount of Cupsets in the Third Round of the 2026 Open Cup Qualification.
As the road to the proper tournament of the 2026 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is very close, these amateur clubs can taste it, reaching the final round by the end of November. As we track these clubs across our vast nation in the amateur division, we recognize some of the best and most historic amateur clubs that have dominated their local regions.
Like the Milwaukee Bavarians, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, New York Pancyprian Freedoms, New York Greek Americans, and so on. We have new powerhouses in the current era of amateur soccer, like Chicago House AC, Christos FC, Lansdowne Yonkers, and so on. But when does an amateur qualification match feel like a cupset? When do we recognize that there might be cupsets within the qualification rounds? Well, in this recently completed third round of qualifying, we got some cupsets for all of you.
We will never forget that magical run by Christos back in the 2017 Cup run that got them to the fourth round and faced DC United. That free-kick goal by Amadou Kanse exploded the dominating crowd supporting the visitors at Boyds Soccerplex, until they finally fell in the second half. In this Qualifying round, Christos FC fell and fell hard as Maryland’s MSI Pro put a five-spot on the discount liquor store club as they advance to the final round.
In the first suburb just over the border of the Bronx and New York City, Yonkers, NY, is a lovely town that gives a city feel while still being a suburb. As a kid, I would go with my parents or grandparents to the large outdoor mall called Cross County Center, or bet on the harness racing horses at Yonkers Raceway. The historic New York Central Railroad station along the Hudson River, and so on.
But now their amateur soccer club, Lansdowne Yonkers, or affectionately known as the Lansdowne Bhoys, has been a part of several domestic trophies in the Cosmopolitan League, but since 2020 has moved on to the Eastern Premier Soccer League. They continue to be a tough side to play against and have been in the USASA Amateur Cup tournament. But they faced the New York Renegades of Long Island, and they were pushed into Extra Time. The battle of the suburbs went to Long Island as the Renegades knocked off Lansdowne five goals to three.
Pennsylvania has several strong amateur clubs across the state. Of course, in the NPSL, there are West Chester United and Hershey FC. Steel City has moved from the NPSL to USL League 2, and they continue to be a strong side on the Western Side of the state. But one club that continues to be a strong side is VE Club, or as they are commonly known as Vereinigung Erzgebirge.
Warminster, Pennsylvania, just 44 minutes north of Philadelphia, has been one of the best clubs in the amateur division, which continues to show why they always qualify for the Open Cup. traveled over the Delaware River into South New Jersey to face a club that plays in Camden County called Oaklyn United FC, in Oaklyn, New Jersey. Playing at Rowan University’s Soccer Stadium, Oaklyn faced VE Club and took them down by a final score of three goals to one.
We almost had a cupset in South Florida, when Miami United faced Florida Futbol Club. While they led all throughout regulation time, one goal put the fear into Miami United to add another 30 minutes. When that period didn’t get a winning goal, it was pushed into a penalty kick shootout. For Miami United, they won it with a four-to-three advantage to put them into the final round of qualifying again.
So we have the 32 teams ready to face each other in the final round of qualifying, as they reduce to 16 teams to join the other leagues representing 16 teams from the NPSL, UPSL, and USL League 2. It’s looking like we will have more new clubs entering the opening round in the proper tournament than ever before, but what we all know is that these games are exciting and entertaining, and hopefully, a stream is available to put many eyes on these important matches.
FINAL ROUND OF 2026 U.S. OPEN CUP QUALIFYING: NOVEMBER 22ND & 23RD
EAST REGION: MSI Pro (MD), CD Faialense (MA), FC Lonestar GPSE (MA), Oaklyn United FC (NJ), SC Vistula Garfield (NJ), NY Renegades (NY), Zum Schneider FC 09 (NY), Steel City FC (PA), Virginia Dream FC (VA)
CENTRAL REGION: Azteca FC (CO), Chicago House AC (IL), Southern Indiana FC (IN), BOHFS, STL (MO), Croatia Cleveland (OH)
SOUTH REGION: Harbor City FC (FL), City Soccer FC (FL), Miami United FC (FL), Badgers FC (FL), FC America CFL Spurs (FL), Red Force (FL), Kalonji Pro Profile (GA), Potros FC (GA), Briar United FC (NC), ASC New Stars (TX), Denton Diablos (TX)
WEST REGION: Laguna United (CA), Next Level Soccer (CA), Valley 559 FC (CA), San Diego International (CA), The Olympic Club (CA), San Ramon FC (CA), Ballard FC (WA)