USL League One Clubs Learn Schedule for 2022 Open Cup Second Round
QUARTET OF LEAGUE ONE CLUBS TO HOST CHAMPIONSHIP OPPOSITION
CHICAGO – After announcing the draw for the Second Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Feb. 11, U.S. Soccer today announced the dates and times in which all 11 participating USL League One clubs will make their debut in the 107th edition of the historic tournament.
Highlighted in the draw is a quartet of League One clubs that will play host to USL Championship opposition. After qualifying for its third consecutive League One Final a year ago, Greenville Triumph SC will host an Oakland Roots SC squad fresh off a remarkable playoff run that saw it fall just short of upending eventual champion Orange County SC in the Western Conference Semifinals in its first season in the Championship.
North Carolina FC is set to host Rio Grande Valley FC at WakeMed Soccer Park and will be hoping to summon the historic success the side has achieved at home in prior Open Cups, this time against the Toros as the visitors make their Open Cup debut. Additionally, FC Tucson will welcome the Championship’s Las Vegas Lights FC to Kino North Stadium in a battle of Southwestern adversaries.
Elsewhere, defending League One champion Union Omaha will make its Open Cup debut, hosting one of two USL League Two challengers in defending title-holder Des Moines Menace or league newcomer Minneapolis City SC. Additionally, Forward Madison FC and Charlotte Independence will host Open Division opponents while the Richmond Kickers could play host to Lynchburg FC at City Stadium, or visit Nova FC as the two in-state foes meet in the Second Round.
The remaining four League One clubs will travel to face Championship opponents with matchups highlighted by 2022 newcomer Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC traveling down I-25 to face 2021 USL Championship Golden Boot winner Hadji Barry and in-state rival Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at the recently minted Weidner Field. Another spotlight matchup sees Chattanooga Red Wolves SC facing perennial Championship powerhouse Louisville City FC at Lynn Family Stadium.
Thirty-one matches overall will be played in the Second Round, with the winners advancing to the Third Round scheduled for April 19-21, where 17 clubs from Major League Soccer will enter the tournament. The remaining eight clubs from MLS will enter in the Round of 32, scheduled for May 10-11.
Contests in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will air exclusively on ESPN+, which will also serve as the home for every game of the 2022 USL Championship and League One seasons as they begin in March and April.
Finalized dates and kickoff times can be found below.
2022 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP SECOND ROUND
Tuesday, April 5
Charlotte Independence vs. South Carolina United FC Bantams or NC Fusion U23
American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.
April 5, 7 p.m. ET
Union Omaha vs. Des Moines Menace or Minneapolis City SC
Morrison Stadium (Creighton University); Omaha, Neb.
April 5, 8 p.m. ET
Central Valley Fuego FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC
Lamonica Stadium (Clovis H.S.); Clovis, Calif.
April 5, 10:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, April 6
Richmond Kickers vs. Lynchburg FC
City Stadium; Richmond, Va.
April 6, 6:30 p.m. ET
-OR-
Nova FC vs. Richmond Kickers
Virginia Revolution Sportsplex; Leesburg, Va.
April 6, 8 p.m. ET
Charleston Battery vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Patriots Point Soccer Stadium; Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
April 6, 7 p.m. ET
North Carolina FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
April 6, 7 p.m. ET
Louisville City FC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Lynn Family Stadium; Louisville, Ky.
April 6, 7:30 p.m. ET
Forward Madison FC vs. Cleveland SC or Chicago FC United
Breese Stevens Field; Madison, Wis.
April 6, 8 p.m. ET
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
Weidner Field; Colorado Springs, Colo.
April 6, 9 p.m. ET
FC Tucson vs. Las Vegas Lights FC
Kino North Stadium; Tucson, Ariz.
April 6, 9:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 7
Greenville Triumph SC vs. Oakland Roots SC
Triumph Stadium at Legacy Early College; Greenville, S.C.
April 7, 7 p.m. ET
