Austin FC began its 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 win over New Mexico United in the tournament's Round of 32 at Q2 Stadium on May 10. The Club's next step toward the trophy is another home game, this time against Chicago Fire FC at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday, May 24 at 8:00 p.m. CT.
The U.S. Open Cup is the oldest national soccer tournament in the United States, structured as a single elimination knockout tournament featuring 99 professional, semi-professional, and amateur teams that compete for the prestigious tournament championship, as well as an automatic berth in Concacaf Champions League. 2023 marks the 108th 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 Concacaf Champions League berth.
Austin FC In The Open Cup
ATXFC learned the opponent and location for its Round of 16 match during the draw hosted by U.S. Soccer on Thursday, May 11. Austin FC will host Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday, May 24, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. CT at Q2 Stadium. The match will feature a live broadcast on the B/R Football YouTube Channel and the B/R Football App.
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. Adam Lundkvist was also a member of an Open Cup winning side in 2018.
Format
This year, 99 teams – 71 of which are professional – entered 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 five (5) matches to win the U.S. Open Cup.
All U.S.-based MLS clubs enter the tournament in either the Third Round or Round of 32. In 2022, 18 U.S.-based MLS clubs will enter in the Third Round with eight (8) U.S.-based MLS teams – including Austin FC – qualifying for an automatic bye to the Round of 32 by virtue of 2022 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.
What’s At Stake
The winner of the Open Cup receives a berth in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League, prize money, and the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy.
Key Dates
- April 27 – Round of 32 Draw (Austin FC learns its opponent and whether it will play home or away)
- May 9-10 – Round of 32 Matches
- May 11 – Round of 16 and Quarterfinal Draw
- May 23-24 – Round of 16 Matches
- June 6-7 – Quarterfinal Matches
- TBD – Semifinal and Final Draw
- August 23 – Semifinal Matches
- September 27– 2023 U.S. Open Cup Final
