Austin FC will compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time in Club history in April 2022. The oldest national soccer tournament in the United States, the U.S. Open Cup is a single elimination knockout tournament featuring 103 professional, semi-professional, and amateur teams that compete for the prestigious tournament championship, as well as an automatic berth in Concacaf Champions League.
The Verde & Black will enter the single elimination knockout tournament in the Third Round of competition alongside 16 other U.S.-based Major League Soccer clubs. Winners of all Third Round matches advance to the Fourth Round (Round of 32).
The Open Cup returned for the first time since 2019 with the First Round of play taking place earlier this week. 2022 will be the 107th edition of the historic tournament, which gives clubs from all levels of the American professional soccer ecosystem the chance to compete for the U.S. Open Cup title, prize money, and a coveted Concacaf Champions League berth. MLS teams have won the U.S. Open Cup each year dating back to 2000.
“We’re very excited to see the return of the U.S. Open Cup and for Austin FC to have a chance to play in this historic tournament for the first time,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna. “The Open Cup is an important part of the American soccer landscape, a unique tournament within American sports, and an opportunity for the Club to win its first major trophy.”
Austin FC In The Open Cup
ATXFC will learn its first-ever Open Cup opponent during the Third Round draw hosted by U.S. Soccer on April 8 and will play its first-ever match in the famed competition on a TBD date between April 19-21.
Austin FC has formally submitted a declaration of its desire to host the Club’s Third Round match at Q2 Stadium, and Austin FC will learn the exact date and location of the Third Round match pending the April 8 draw. Austin’s Third Round opponent is guaranteed to be either a lower division professional side from the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, USL League One, National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), MLS NEXT Pro, or an amateur side from leagues such as USL League Two or the National Premier Soccer League.
Head Coach Josh Wolff won the Open Cup three times as a player in 1998, 2000, and 2004. Assistant Coach Davy Arnaud was also a member of the 2004 Kansas City Wizards team which lifted the trophy. Austin FC forward Maxi Urruti won the Open Cup in 2016, scoring twice in the final for FC Dallas as they defeated New England Revolution 4-2.
Ticketing
Austin FC Season Ticket Members will receive tickets to any Austin FC U.S. Open Cup matches played at Q2 Stadium from the Third Round through the Quarterfinals stage as part of season ticket membership. Tickets for a potential Third Round home match at Q2 Stadium will be automatically uploaded onto each membership account on Tuesday, March 29 with a confirmation announcement occurring on April 8.
Oak Collective Waitlist members will receive access to a pre-sale for the U.S. Open Cup Third Round match on Tuesday, March 29, and single match tickets to the Third Round match will be on sale to the General Public on Wednesday, March 30. If Austin FC is not selected to host a Third Round match, all purchased single match tickets for the Third Round will be fully refunded.
Format
This year, a modern-era record 103 teams – 71 of which are professional – will compete for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The competition features eight (8) rounds to crown a champion, with draws conducted each round to determine matchups. When possible, regional pairings are created to reduce travel for participating teams. In total, Austin FC will need to win six (6) matches to win the U.S. Open Cup.
All U.S.-based MLS clubs enter the tournament in either the Third or Fourth Round. In 2022, 17 U.S.-based MLS clubs will enter in the Third Round with eight (8) US-based MLS teams qualifying for an automatic bye to the Fourth Round by virtue of 2021 MLS results.
Canadian-based MLS teams do not compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Canadian-based MLS clubs compete in a similarly structured tournament named “The Canadian Championship”, which produces a tournament champion that also automatically qualifies for the Concacaf Champions League.
Start times and broadcast information for U.S. Open Cup Third Round matches will be determined after the April 8 draw is completed.
What’s At Stake
The winner of the Open Cup receives a berth in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, $300,000 in prize money, and the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy.
Key Dates
• Prior to March 30 - Austin FC submitted declaration to host Third and Fourth Round matches (pending draw and competition results)
• April 8 – Third Round Draw (Austin FC learns its first opponent, and whether it will play home or away)
• April 19-21 – Third Round Matches
• April 22 – Fourth Round Draw
• May 10-11 – Fourth Round Matches
• May 12 – Round of 16 and Quarterfinal Draw
• May 24-25 – Round of 16 Matches
• June 21-22 – Quarterfinal Matches
• June 23 – Semifinal and Final Draw
• July 26-27 – Semifinal Matches
• September 6, 7, 13, or 14 – 2022 U.S. Open Cup Final
