2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: Draw, fixtures, results & guide to each round
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is more commonly known by fans as the U.S. Open Cup and is the longest-running national football competition in the country, first being held all the way back in the 1913/14 season.
The name ‚Lamar Hunt‘, who was formerly an executive for the North American Soccer League and the MLS, was added in 1999. Having been cancelled for two seasons thanks to Covid-19, it returned in 2022.
In 2023, 99 teams will compete, inclduding a modern-era record 71 professional sides.
It is certainly something to take seriously for the biggest sides in America as the winner gets a place in the CONCACAF Champions League. As is to be expected, it has been dominated by MLS teams since 1996 when the league started, last being won by a lower-division side in 1999 when the Rochester Rhinos took home the trophy.
The first round proper of the tournament got underway on March 21 and was completed on March 23. 28 teams take part in this stage and 14 games took place.
There was plenty of drama including a penalty shootout that ended 9-8. The second round started on April 5 and that round is contested by 73 teams.
2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup round dates
|
Round |
Date |
|---|---|
|
First qualifying round |
September 17-18 |
|
Second qualifying round |
October 15-16 |
|
Third qualifying round |
November 19-20 |
|
Fourth qualifying round |
December 17-18 |
|
First round |
March 21-23 |
|
Second round |
April 4-6 |
|
Third round |
April 25-26 |
|
Round of 32 |
May 9-10 |
|
Round of 16 |
May 23-24 |
|
Quarter finals |
June 6-7 |
|
Semi finals |
August 23 |
|
Final |
September 27 |
2022 saw the return of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after Covid-19 saw the 2020 and 2021 editions be cancelled.
It was the Orlando City SC who took home the trophy as they beat Sacramento Republic FC in the final at the Exploria Stadium in Florida.
Two sides are tied at the top of the historical rankings for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Bethlehem Steel F.C. and Maccabee Los Angeles have both won the tournament five times each.
Neither side exists in the modern day and they won their titles in the early years of the tournament, meaning a current MLS side such as Chicago Fire or Seattle Sounders FC (both have four titles) will likely soon overtake them.
A few streaming options are available on a variety of platforms including the Bleacher Report App, B/R Football’s YouTube channel, CBS Sports Golazo Network, and U.S. Soccer’s YouTube channel.