US Soccer on Thursday revealed third-round scenarios and locations for the third round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the last round before MLS teams join the fray.
The tournament’s third round kicks off May 28 and features the 24 second-round winners (to be determined on May 13-14) and eight NASL clubs, whose teams are matched geographically to play the winner of a specific second-round pairing. The winners of the remaining 16 second-round matches not paired with an NASL side will play against each other.
Home teams were determined by a random selection process among those clubs that have applied to host and whose venues meet the minimum tournament requirements.
Indy Eleven president and general manager Peter Wilt was on hand as the witness during the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup third-round draw process Thursday afternoon at US Soccer House in Chicago.
In addition to NASL teams, the third round could feature teams from USL PRO, the fourth-division USL Premier Development League (PDL) and National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), and the amateur US Adult Soccer Association (USASA).
Among the teams vying for a place in the third round are 2012 surprise packages Cal FC, the newly-created LA Galaxy II, and U-23 teams from the New York Red Bulls, Portland Timbers and soon-to-be MLS side Orlando City SC, whose senior team also features in the third round draw.
“Game of the Round” coverage will resume on www.ussoccer.com when the Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) face Richmond-based RVA FC (NPSL) on May 14. The match kicks off at 7 pm ET at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va.
Full US Open Cup Third Round Pairings:
- Greater Binghamton FC Thunder (NPSL) / Reading United AC (PDL) winner at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) / Western Mass. Pioneers (PDL) winner
- Brooklyn Italians SC (NPSL) / Jersey Express (PDL) winner at New York Cosmos (NASL)
- Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) / RVA FC (Richmond Virginia FC) (NPSL) winner at Ocean City Nor'easters (PDL) OR New York Greek American Atlas (USASA) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) OR New York Greek American Atlas (USASA) at RVA FC (Richmond Virginia FC) (NPSL)
- Icon FC (USASA) / Baltimore Bohemians (PDL) winner at FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL) OR Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Baltimore Bohemians (PDL) OR Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) vs. Icon FC (USASA)
- RWB Adria (USASA) / Michigan Bucks (PDL) winner at New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL) / Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) winner
- Carolina Dynamo (PDL) / Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) winner at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
- Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO) / Chattanooga FC (NPSL) winner
- Jacksonville United FC (NPSL) / Orlando City U23s (PDL) winner at Charleston Battery (USL PRO) OR Panama City Beach Pirates (PDL) at Jacksonville United FC (NPSL) OR Panama City Beach Pirates (PDL) vs. Orlando City U23s (PDL)
- Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Orlando City (USL PRO) / Ocala Stampede (PDL) winner
- Red Force (USASA) / Laredo Heat (PDL) winner at Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)
- Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) / Schwaben AC (USASA) winner at Indy Eleven (NASL)
- NTX Rayados (USASA) / Austin Aztex (PDL) winner at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
- Minnesota United FC (NASL) at Des Moines Menace (USASA) OR Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) at Minnesota United FC (NASL)
- Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL PRO) / Tulsa Athletics (NPSL) winner at Portland Timbers U-23s (PDL) OR Arizona United SC (USL PRO) at Tulsa Athletics (NPSL) OR Arizona United SC (USL PRO) vs. Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL PRO)
- Orange County Blues (USL PRO) / Fresno Fuego (PDL) winner at Sacramento Republic (USL PRO) / Ventura County Fusion (PDL) winner
- PSA Elite (USASA) / San Diego Flash (NPSL) winner at LA Galaxy II (USL PRO) OR Cal FC (USASA) at PSA Elite (USASA) OR Cal FC (USASA) at San Diego Flash (NPSL)
