US Open Cup: USL League One vs. the World
Three league sides remain. Can they pull another upset in round four?
Charlotte forward Juan Carlos Obregón celebrates a goal against Rhode Island FC in the third round of the US Open Cup. Image credit Charlotte Independence Twitter
The fourth round of the US Open Cup is upon us, and three USL League One sides remain. This is the round in which the top USL Championship side enter, along with the MLS sides that aren’t total cowards.
Two of the three USL League One sides drew MLS opponents, while one drew a USL Championship side. All matches will be broadcast on US Soccer streams, available here.
Here’s a brief preview of each matchup:
Atlanta United vs. Charlotte Independence
Tuesday, May 7th, 7:30 PM ET
Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
Last year’s Atlanta United squad finished 6th in the east, but fell 2-1 in a best of three first round playoff series to eventual champions Columbus Crew. This year’s side sits outside of the bubble at 3-3-4, with just 12 of 30 possible points, winless since March 31st.
While it shouldn’t be expected to see the big stars, the squad is led by striker Giorgos Giakoumakis with five goals and two assists. The 29-year-old Greek international is on his second season with Atlanta, after scoring 17 in 2023.
Atlanta also features Argentine international midfielder Thiago Almada in the attacking midfield position. The high value player did feature on the roster in a 2-1 upset loss to Memphis 901 in last year’s cup, but did not take the field.
Charlotte Independence features a few players from the Atlanta area. Defender and captain Clay Dimick played at Lassiter High School in Marietta, while goalkeeper Austin Pack played for Chattahoochee High School in Johns Creek. Additionally, Nathan Gray played for Atlanta United’s academy.
Expect Charlotte coach Mike Jeffries to throw everything at this match. His side is led by Juan Carlos Obregón, a man with plenty of experience in knockout tournaments. The one-time Honduran Olympian scored a brace against Rhode Island FC in the third round, and has four additional goals in league play so far this season.
Charleston Battery vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Wednesday, May 8th, 7:00 PM ET
Patriot’s Point Soccer Stadium, Mount Pleasant, SC
Tormenta FC caught a small break in drawing a USL Championship side instead of MLS. However, Charleston Battery is currently far and away the top team in the league. Undefeated over ten matches with seven wins, with a +18 goal differential, Battery is also not likely to go easy on this match.
Charleston is led by Nicholas Markanich with 12 goals on the season, a total that is also best in the league by a full five goals. They’re also getting production from elsewhere in the roster, with Matt Myers scoring six, tied for third in the league. It’s a potent attack, and five others have at least one goal. Nine players have shared assists, indicating an attack that can come from anywhere.
It doesn’t bode well for a Tormenta defense that has given up eight goals over its last three matches, all to top USL League One sides. What Tormenta does bring to the table is a similar offensive style, a squad that can produce from multiple positions. Six players have goals and another six have assists so far on the season, with no breakout star just yet.
Tormenta’s hope seems to be competing on that level. Coach Ian Cameron spoke to Luke Martin of the Statesboro Herald this week:
“They’re smashing everybody in the Championship, but I’ll be shocked if they smash us,” Tormenta Manager Ian Cameron said. “I’m not saying they’re incapable of beating us, but I’d be very surprised if we didn’t go there and the game wasn’t a very, very competitive match.”
It’s a daunting task, but Tormenta seems to generate a special level of play in the US Open Cup, especially against USL Championship sides.
Union Omaha vs. Sporting Kansas City
Wednesday, May 8th, 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT)
University of Nebraska Omaha Caniglia Field, Omaha, NE
Union Omaha had a run to the quarterfinals in the 2022 tournament, taking down Chicago Fire on the way to a quarterfinal loss to Sporting Kansas City. And while last year’s run ended in a disappointing 5-1 loss at St. Louis City, they’re still playing well enough so far this season to force any opponent to take them seriously.
This time Sporting Kansas City will travel to Omaha. Like Atlanta, this year’s squad is struggling, sitting at 10th place in the west with a 2-4-5 record and just 11 out of 33 possible points.
And like Atlanta, we don’t yet know how seriously Sporting will take this match, and who will appear. They’re led by Erik Thommy, with four goals, along with William Agada with three goals and two assists.
Omaha is arguably the top team in USL League One right now, having not lost a regular season match since July 2023. They reached the fourth round by taking USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive to penalties, in which the Owls made all five where El Paso had a miss.
If any of the USL League One teams can pull a big upset in this round, Omaha may be best suited to do it.
Detroit City FC vs. Houston Dynamo is MUST watch tonight (Tuesday)! Followed by Oakland Roots vs San Jose Quakes! (both USL Championship vs MLS sides)
Of the games involving USL1 sides, the Omaha match should be a good game. I thought Charlotte played tough on defense last night, but the ATL pressure was relentless.