Charles Jackson
Sacramento Republic is no stranger to success in the US Open Cup and is on another run after defeating Earthquakes in San José 4-3 on Tuesday night. Sacramento faced City of Orlando SC in the 2022 Open Cup final and although they lost to the Lions in that match, the United Soccer League team learned a lot from that experience, which is one of the reasons why even in extra time they managed to stay calm to overcome the earthquakes.
At the top of the Western Conference in the USL Championship, Sacramento is now undefeated in all competitions and has eliminated six MLS teams in tournaments, third most all-time for a lower division club. The Sacramento Republic won’t know who they will face until May 22, but there will be at least three USL Championship teams in the next round draw.
New Mexico United also advanced 3-0 over MLS Next Pro side NYCFC. Although Next Pro teams are participating in the Open Cup for the first time this season due to only eight MLS teams participating, it has been quite a run for New York FC young man who defeated the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the fourth round before falling in the fifth round. Atlanta United survived a penalty shootout to defeat Charleston Battery as LAFC cruised to victory over Loudon United FC.
Scores and future schedule
All times Eastern
Tuesday, May 21st
Charleston Battery 0, Atlanta United 0 (Atlanta advances 5-4 on penalties)
New York City FC II 0, New Mexico United 3
Sporting Kansas City 4, FCTulsa 0
Sacramento Republic FC 4, San Jose Earthquakes 3
Los Angeles F.C. 3, Loudon United FC 0
Wednesday, May 22
Indy Eleven vs. Detroit City FC, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Rioters vs. FCDallas7:30 p.m.
Seattle Sounders x Phoenix Rising FC, 10:30 p.m.
Can a USL team win the cup?
With fewer MLS teams participating in the Open Cup this season, this presents an opportunity for the USL to possibly appear in the Concacaf Champions Cup. In recent years, depth in the USL has improved with teams sending players to Europe and more names opting to go there beyond Major League Soccer, and if a USL team can make it to the Champions Cup, that will only increase. your recruiting efforts. With The Rowdies playing a home game and Phoenix traveling to face a Seattle team that was already on the brink against Louisville City and with three of the eight MLS teams already out of the competition, the odds increase that a USL team could raise the cup.
Of course, Cinderella hopefuls will have to keep an eye on Los Angeles FC, who can score with any US team and also have Oliver Giroud on the way during the summer window. As the semi-finals won’t take place until August, the teams will want to eliminate the Black and Gold as quickly as possible, because everything will become more difficult. With three USL teams confirmed in the round of 16, they may have as many teams as MLS if one from Dallas or Seattle falls, but that may not be enough to lift them.
