Local teams from around the state of California have had a strong presence in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in recent years and qualifying for next yea
Local teams from around the state of California have had a strong presence in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in recent years and qualifying for next year’s 2016 U.S. Open Cup kicks off in less than a month.
U.S. Soccer announced the schedule for Open Division qualifying, which will pit California teams against each other in a three round elimination. Twenty teams from California and 36 other teams from around the U.S.A. will square off in hopes of securing one of eight open Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup slots.
Matchups for the first round, which kicks off on October 24 & 25, and second round, November 21 & 22, have been announced. All 56 participating teams will play in the first round with the 28 winners playing each other in the second round. 12 of the 14 winners will then face off against another winner who is in the closest proximity. The remaining two winners will advance to the 2016 U.S. Open Cup and they will be joined by the other 6 winners.
Depending on how things shape up in qualifying, it looks like California might be represented by two or three teams.
One of the teams looking to get back to the 2016 U.S. Open Cup is Chula Vista FC, who turned heads with a spectacular run this past year. Chula Vista defeated PDL powerhouse, FC Tucson 2-1 in the first round before shocking and dominating USL’s Arizona United SC, 3-0, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Chula Vista’s run was cut short following a 7-3 loss to Sacramento Republic FC in the next round.
Some other familiar names who will be competing in the local qualifying are Cal FC, who advanced to the fourth round in 2012. San Francisco City Football Club will be looking to qualify for their second consecutive U.S. Open Cup appearance.
For the full schedule of games click here. Below are the schedules for the California teams.
October 24
La Maquina at Strikers FC South Coast 6 p.m. PT at Lake Forest Sports Park and Recreation Center, Lake Forest
Chula Vista FC at Temecula Football Club 7 p.m. PT at Temecula Valley High School
San Nicolas FC at Corinthians USA 7 p.m. PT at Rialto High School
Footballers Academy at San Pedro Monsters FC 7 p.m. PT Daniel’s Field
Del Rey City SC at LA Wolves FC 7:30 p.m. PT Mira Costa High School
October 25
Davis Legacy at IFX Ballistic 1 p.m. PT Las Positas College
El Farolito at San Francisco City Football Club 1 p.m. PT at Kezar Stadium
Valley United SC at Cal FC 2 p.m. PT Agoura High School
Outbreak FC at Buena Park FC 3 p.m. PT at John F. Kennedy High School
Real Sociedad at Laguna FC 4 p.m. PT East Los Angeles College
November 21 or 22
Second Qualifying Round
April 1-2, 2016
Third Qualifying Round
May 11, 2016
First Round – Tournament Proper
