Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fourth round: Which participating MLS teams like Seattle Sounders risk getting upset?

The US Open Cup returns on Tuesday, May 7th, and although some Cinderella Stories like El Farolito FC may have come to an end, the fourth round will see Major League Soccer teams enter the competition. In a season where only eight MLS teams will participate, it is a great opportunity for the United Soccer League to lift the competition for the first time since 1999, when the now-defunct Rochester Rhinos were the team to do so. With a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup on the line, there would be few things more appealing to aspiring Cinderella stories than eliminating as many MLS teams as possible upon entry.

Looking at the field, which teams should be on alert when facing USL teams?

3. Seattle Sounders

• Wednesday, May 8: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Louisville City FC, 10:30 p.m.

While the Sounders are finding their feet in league play, they face one of the best teams in the USL in Lousiville City FC. With just one defeat so far and one of the championship’s top scorers at stake Wilson Harris, this is a Louisville team that will not be afraid to face anyone and also has a defense that can keep up with the top teams. Coach Danny Cruz has built a very balanced team and when it comes to knockouts, these are the ones that can go far. In the last round, Cruz stopped by Morning Footy to talk about the Louisville FC project.

Seattle has a top forward Raul Ruidiaz, who they can play behind, but playing his third game in eight days, this is a chance to wait out the rotation, providing a chance to cause an upset.

two. Sporting Kansas City

• Wednesday, May 8: Union Omaha vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m.

You never know which Sporting Kansas City team will show up on any given day. He can easily score five goals or concede five to anyone in his path, but his position in this ranking is due to a few factors. Not only are they the only MLS team playing away from home, but they are also heading to Nebraska to face Union Omaha. The Owls are currently in USL League One, but have a great history in this competition. Omaha has never lost a home match in the tournament at 4-1-0 and has also defeated higher division opponents in the cup in three consecutive tournaments. During their participation in the competition in 2022, the Owls defeated two MLS teams before falling to the same SKC team, so there is an opportunity for revenge as well. If Sporting are not at their best defensively, this game could see them eliminated before the cup race begins.

1. Earthquakes in San José

• Tuesday, May 7: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Oakland Roots SC, 10 p.m.

With just two wins this season and 26 goals in 11 games played, it would be difficult to imagine a tougher start for the Earthquakes. After Christian Espinoza, Luchi Gonzalez has struggled to find a consistent attacking threat for his team, which could leave them primed for an upset this round. The Oakland Roots are also not in particularly strong form, near the bottom of the USL Championship Western Conference, but in tournaments like these, form can go out the window, especially when facing an MLS team.

To schedule

All Eastern times, all matches are available to stream on ussoccer.com

Tuesday, May 7th
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. FC Tulsa, 7 p.m.
Atlanta United vs. Charlotte Independence, 7:30 p.m.
Houston dynamo xDetroit FC City8pm
FCDallas vs. Memphis 901 FC, 8:30 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Oakland Roots SC, 10 p.m.
Orange County SC x Loudon United FC10pm
Sacramento Republic FC x Monterey Bay FC22:30

Wednesday, May 8
Charleston Battery vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC, 7 p.m.
Indy Eleven vs. San Antonio FC, 7 p.m.
North Carolina FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Birmingham Legion FC, 7:30 p.m.
New York City FC II vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 7:30 p.m.
Unity Omaha vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m.
New Mexico United vs. Royal Salt Lake9pm
Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Los Angeles F.C.9pm
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Louisville City FC, 10:30 p.m.