US Open Cup First Round Preview: USL League One Matchups
Third division pros matched up with amateur clubs to kick off the tournament
US Soccer finally released the long awaited 2026 US Open Cup first round matchups today. The round is where qualifying amateur clubs are paired off with USL League One and USL Championship clubs, in a knockout round format.
Here’s a quick background and preview of all the USL League One matchups.
Tuesday, March 17
South Georgia Tormenta vs. FC America CFL Spurs
Tormenta Stadium, Statesboro, GA
The Winter Park, Florida-based UPSL club FC America CFL Spurs will see a rematch with South Georgia Tormenta after losing there 1-0 in 2024. The amateur side qualified for the 2026 tournament with a shootout win over Harbor City FC in November.
Meanwhile, Tormenta has advanced to at least the third round of the tournament in each of the last four years, making it to the round of 32 in two of them. During that time, they’ve taken down USL Championship clubs such as Miami FC and Rio Grande Valley, and faced off with MLS clubs such as Charlotte FC and Inter Miami. Tormenta has also not not lost to an amateur club over the last four years of the tournament.
Richmond Kickers vs. NOVA FC
City Stadium, Richmond, VA
After an embarrassing flameout last year to Virginia Dream, on a night celebrating Richmond’s historic tournament win in 1995, Richmond will try again with Northern Virginia FC.
The Leesburg, Virginia-based USL League Two club qualified with a first place finish in the Chesapeake Division last year. The club did not make it out of the qualifying rounds ahead of the 2025 tournament.
Vermont Green vs. Portland Hearts of Pine
Virtue Field, Burlington, VT
Was this a fix to bring together the most hyped teams in the amateur and third division ranks? Probably, but who cares? It’s going to be a fun one. The only match of the evening to air on CBS Sports Network will bring together the reigning USL League Two title-holder with USL League One media darlings, Portland Hearts of Pine.
Vermont Green missed the tournament in 2025, but is well known for its decisive home upset of Lexington SC in 2024. Meanwhile, Portland also made waves in 2025, taking down Hartford Athletic of USL Championship before falling to Rhode Island FC in the third round. This is a Portland squad that may be even stronger in its second season, having retained most of its top talent from 2025.
While much of Vermont’s title winning squad has now gone pro, its ability to recruit free agent and amateur talent for this tournament cannot be understated.
Wednesday, March 18
Asheville City vs. Greenville Triumph SC
The clubs, located about an hour and 20 minutes apart, will see a rematch of 2025 where Greenville barely escaped Asheville on a penalty win.
Asheville City qualified by winning the USL League Two South Central Division with an undefeated record of 10-0-2. It’s their third consecutive appearance in the first round, from which they’ve never advanced.
Greenville advanced to the third round in 2024, its best tournament finish. The club is undergoing a bit of an offensive rebuild after a disappointing regular season finish where it missed the playoffs for the first time ever.
FC Naples vs. Red Force
Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Naples, FL
The Miami-based NPSL club qualified for its fifth appearance in the tournament with a 4-1 win over local rivals City Soccer FC. It will be the club’s first appearance in the later rounds since 2018.
They’ll travel across the state to face FC Naples, only in its second year of existence. In 2025, the then-brand new club made it to the third round before falling to Tampa Bay Rowdies in penalties.
SC Vistula Garfield vs. One Knoxville SC
Garfield High School, Garfield, NJ
Garfield, New Jersey-based American Premier Soccer League club SC Vistula Garfield last appeared in the US Open Cup in the 1970’s, and qualify after a 2-1 over APSL rivals Oaklyn United. The club was led by 42 year old Chris Karcz, the league’s Golden Boot winner in 2024. Karcz was last a pro in 2007 where he was rostered with NY Red Bulls.
One Knoxville’s unfortunate inability to host means the defending USL League One champions will have to travel to New Jersey for the opening round. Knoxville made it to the third round last year before losing to Colorado Springs.
BOHFS St. Louis vs. Union Omaha
Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO
The Midwest Premier League club knocked out Chicago House AC to qualify for this year’s tournament. It was triumph coming at the tail end of BOHFS St. Louis’ inaugural season.
Meanwhile, Union Omaha continued its history of advancement in the tournament last year, going to the round of 32 where it lost to MLS side St. Louis City. Omaha was the only USL League One club to advance that far, and won the $50,000 prize as the furthest advanced league team.
This match will air on CBS Sports Golazo.
AV ALTA FC vs. Valley 559 FC
Lancaster Memorial Stadium, Lancaster, CA
UPSL club Valley 559 FC traveled to Seattle to take down USL League Two runner up Ballard FC on a late goal from former USL League One midfielder Moe Espinoza. He was joined by several notable USL League One free agents that night, and faced off against several former Seattle Sounders, including Lamar Neagle.
Like FC Naples, AV Alta FC was an expansion side in 2025, and found outsized success in the US Open Cup. The club took down Ventura County Fusion and LAFC 2 before falling to Orange County SC in the third round.
With a number of USL free agents connected to Valley 559, who would likely enter this matchup with chips on their shoulders, we’re placing this one as our biggest upset watch.
Ventura County Fusion vs. Spokane Velocity FC
Ventura College Stadium, Ventura, CA
After gaining eligibility via winning the USL League Two Southwest Division, Ventura County Fusion will try again a year after losing to AV Alta FC in the opening round. They’ll host Spokane Velocity, one of the top USL League One clubs, a year after that club lost in round two to Tacoma Defiance.
Thursday, March 19
Charlotte Independence vs. Ristozi FC
American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC
The Jacks made it three rounds in 2025, losing to cross-state rivals North Carolina FC after taking down fellow state club Carolina Core. They’ll host Baltimore-based NPSL club Ristozi FC, qualified via winning the NPSL Mid Atlantic Conference and East Region Championships.
It’s the first qualification for Ristozi FC, having only fielded its inaugural squad in 2025.
Flint City Bucks vs. Forward Madison
Don Batchelor Stadium, Grand Blanc, MI
Flint City Bucks enter the tournament for the first time since 2018. The historic USL League Two club qualified for three of the last four years the tournament was held, but did not field a squad. This year’s qualification came from winning the Great Lakes Division.
They’ll host Forward Madison, coming off a disappointing season and likely starting out with a roster of nearly all newcomers by the time of this match. Last year’s squad lost in the second round to FC Tulsa. Madison has not been past the second round since 2022.
Westchester SC vs. NY Renegades FC
Mount Vernon Memorial Field, Mount Vernon, NY
Another 2025 expansion side with an impressive Open Cup run, Westchester SC made it to the third round where they lost to Detroit City. Unfortunately, the rest of the season didn’t go so well, with a last place finish. This season, they’ve returned a large group of the veterans that made up the 2024 roster, while replacing others with a group of mostly new professionals.
UPSL club NY Renegades FC qualify for the second year in a row after defeating Zum Schneider in a thrilling, extra time affair. Last season saw the Long Island-based squad lose to Columbus Crew 2 in the first round.
Tennessee Tempo FC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex, Murfreesboro, TN
Somewhere between Chattanooga and Nashville, we find the city of Murfreesboro. This is the home of UPSL club and 2025 national champions Tennessee Tempo FC, and where pro side Chattanooga Red Wolves will travel for this first round match.
Tennessee Tempo got a taste with its national championship, and is in this thing to pull some major upsets at the very least. The squad is together and starts a pre-Open Cup warmup campaign with six matches scheduled with local clubs and colleges.
But they’ll have to get past one of USL League One’s best teams, and 2025 Open Cup darlings, Chattanooga Red Wolves. Last year, the squad was taken to penalties by amateur club New Jersey Alliance FC, but came out on top. That set up the legendary first time derby between Red Wolves and cross-town enemies Chattanooga FC, also taken by Red Wolves on penalties...and in front of a record 12,131 fans.
They’d go on to do it again against Las Vegas, taking down the USL Championship side on penalties. That set up a match at Nashville SC, where they walked out with a respectable 1-0 loss to the MLS club.
This may or may not be a cupset watch, but it’s definitely going to thrill.
We beat OCSC last year in PKs before falling at FC Dallas, but I agree with the upset watch – there’s a couple ties between us & VFC, and I think it’ll be a game that means a lot to both sides relative to this round of matchups. Should be a fun one!
Tennessee Tempo are very smart to do an Open Cup warmup campaign. I would have them listed as a possible upset contender.