US Open Cup Update

Calling all Insiders!

The oldest tournament in American soccer – and U.S. Soccer’s annual National Championship – is back for its 108th edition in 2023. That’s good news for fans of the only competition in the United States that gives amateur teams a shot at sharing the spotlight with the big boys in the pro ranks. The Second Round, known informally as the start of Cupset Season, kicks off this week with 29 games between April 4-6. 15 games will be played between second and third-division teams. Eight of the 14 First Round amateur winners will take on second-division pros and the remaining six meet third-division professional clubs. It’s a collision of the tiers like no other in American sport.

The 14 victorious First Round sides are joined by 23 professional Division II (USL Championship) and 21 Division III (USL League One and NISA) clubs in the competition’s Second Round, which will feature 29 games across three nights of drama and glory. Beginning with 11 matches on Tuesday April 4, the Second Round will build into a 17-game matchday on Wednesday April 5 before concluding with one final contest and the official Third Round Draw on April 6. Select Second Round games (and the Third Round Draw) will be streamed on the Bleacher Report app and B/R Football YouTube channel.

Eighteen lower-seeded Division I Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs enter in the Third Round, which will be played on April 25-26. The remaining eight MLS sides will join the party in the Round of 32 (May 9-10). Select Third Round and Round of 32 games will be streamed on the Bleacher Report app and B/R Football YouTube channel.