Through to the Tournament Proper: 2026 U.S. Open Cup Fourth Qualifying Round Review
A crop of 16 amateur teams won out this weekend (Nov. 22-23) to stamp their tickets to next year’s 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament Proper
From a record field of 145 amateur squads, 16 have weathered the storm, advancing through multiple Qualifying Rounds to clinch a berth in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament Proper. Saturday and Sunday’s win-and-you're-in Fourth Qualifying Round was decidedly even, as 14 of the 16 contests were decided by two goals or fewer, five needed extra time and three were decided via penalty shootouts.
Bravo to the last 9 amateur Qualifiers #USOC2026@Bohfs_stl (MO)@ariasoccer52150 (TX) @CFLSPURS (FL)@scvistula (NJ)
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) November 24, 2025
NY Renegades (NY)@RedForceFC09 (FL)
Kalonji Pro-Profile (GA)
Badgers FC (FL) @SanRamonFC (CA) @OpenCup | @ussoccer https://t.co/HUdHLDnsU4 pic.twitter.com/0ZsneO8Eqq
A pair of Rust Belt sides kicked off the proceedings on Saturday afternoon, as Pittsburgh-based USL League Two side Steel City FC downed Croatia Cleveland 3-2 on the banks of Lake Erie. In an intra-Massachusetts clash, Bay State Soccer League’s CD Faialense advanced to the tournament proper for the second time in as many years, dispatching FC Lonestar GPSE by a final tally of 5-2 in the highest-scoring match of the weekend.
In two intra-UPSL contests, Southern Indiana FC returned to the Tournament Proper for the second time in as many years after shutting out Briar United FC 2-0, while Virginia Dream FC and MSI Pro battled into extra time before the visiting Dream dashed out to a 2-0 lead in extra time to secure the victory.
Saturday concluded with a trio of tight contests out West, highlighted by UPSL side Valley 559 FC’s stunning 1-0 road victory against USL League Two powers Ballard FC, as Moe Espinoza’s 87th-minute dagger silenced the crowd of over 700 at Seattle’s Interbay Stadium and saw the Fresno-based side advance to the Tournament Proper for the first time. Elsewhere, UPSL’s Laguna United FC became the second of just two sides to win at home on Saturday, hanging on to defeat San Diego Internacional 4-2 at La Paz Sports Park.
In Arizona, a thrilling, back-and-forth affair between UPSL outfit Next Level Soccer and Colorado Premier League’s Azteca FC finished level at 3-3 following NLS’s equalizer in the 120th minute, but it was the visiting Azteca FC who escaped Gilbert, Ariz. with a 4-3 win on penalties.
Sunday’s action started early in Missouri, as BOHFS St. Louis outlasted fellow Midwest Premier League side Chicago House AC 3-2 in an early-afternoon classic in St. Louis. In all-APSL, all-New Jersey action later in the afternoon, SC Vistula Garfield held on to an early lead against Oaklyn United FC courtesy of Emiland Elezaj’s first-half brace, ending the day with a 2-1 win and confirming a spot in the Tournament Proper for the first time.
The final day of the Fourth Qualifying Round also featured a trio of matchups between Florida foes. A pair of early goals between UPSL rivals and Central Florida adversaries FC America CFL Spurs and Harbor City FC gave way to an exciting penalty shootout in which Spurs emerged with a 5-4 win in Lake Mary, Fla. In Miami, Premier Fútbol League’s Red Force FC posted the joint-largest margin of victory on the weekend—even after a one-goal first half and second-half red card—via a 4-1 thrashing of City Soccer FC. Just outside Ft. Lauderdale, UPSL side Florida Badgers FC dismantled fellow UPSL club Miami United FC 5-3, overcoming an early deficit in Lauderhill, Fla. to book its spot in the Tournament Proper for the first time.
The final matches of Sunday’s qualifying action featured a quartet of sides pit against in-state opposition, will three of the four victors advancing to the Tournament Proper for the first time in their respective histories. New York City-based and UPSL side NY Renegades FC defeated intra-city club Zum Schneider FC 4-2 through a three-goal outburst in the second half to return to the big party for a second-straight year; Houston Football Association’s ASC New Stars shocked Denton Diablos FC with a 4-3 penalty kick shootout victory in Denton, Texas after 120 scoreless; outside Atlanta, UPSL sides Kalonji Pro-Profile and Potros FC were even for 56 minutes until Grant Carr buried the winning goal from the penalty spot. The weekend concluded with a Bay Area-battle, as The League for Clubs’ San Ramon FC dispatched The Olympic Club 2-1 Sunday evening in California.
Saturday, Nov. 22
Croatia Cleveland 2 - 3 Steel City FC
Southern Indiana FC 2 - 0 Briar United FC
FC Lonestar GPSE 2 - 5 CD Faialense
Ballard FC 0 - 1 Valley 559 FC
MSI Pro 0 - 2 Virginia Dream (AET)
Laguna United FC 4 - 2 San Diego Internacional 2
Next Level Soccer 3 (3) - 3 (4) Azteca FC (AET & PKs)
Sunday, Nov. 23
BOHFS St. Louis 3 - 2 Chicago House AC 2
Denton Diablos 0 (3) - 0 (4) ASC New Stars (AET & PKs)
FC America CFL Spurs 1 (5) - 1 (4) Harbor City FC (AET & PKs)
Oaklyn United FC 1 - 2 SC Vistula Garfield
Zum Schneider FC 2 - 4 NY Renegades FC
Red Force 4 - 1 City Soccer FC
Kalonji Pro-Profile 1 - 0 Potros FC
Miami United FC 3 - 5 Florida Badgers FC (AET)
San Ramon FC 2 - 1 The Olympic Club