Global Stars Make Debut, Knoxville Keep Rolling, Magno Perfection: The Best of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 32
Reflecting on Round of 32's best moments; Round of 16 set for April 28-29 on Paramount+ and CBS Sports properties
The Round of 32 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup delivered plenty of drama, from shocking underdog performances to impressive Open Cup debuts. Before the Round of 16 gets going on April 28-29, take a look back at the most memorable moments from the Round of 32.
Ian Fuller’s full-circle moment with Knoxville
Four-time Open Cup champions D.C. United were ousted on penalties by defending USL League One champions One Knoxville SC in the latter’s first matchup against MLS opposition. Knoxville is now in the Round of 16 for the first time in the club’s five-year existence and claimed the $50,000 Division III prize as the furthest advancing third-division side.
A riveting back-and-forth affair at Audi Field—featuring goals from D.C.’s Matti Peltola, Nikola Markovic and Peglow, and Knoxville’s Babacar Diene and Denis Krioutchenkov—was ultimately decided in a penalty kick shootout after dramatic extra-time scores from Peglow and Krioutchenkov. Knoxville emerged victorious in its second consecutive Open Cup shootout, as Second Round hero Jonathan Burke made a key stop against Gabriel Pirani and Kyle Linhares converted the winner in the sixth round.
“What an experience to be with these guys and just come together and have each other’s backs,” said Knoxville goalkeeper Jonathan Burke. “We all have confidence in each other and what we can do. We had a game plan and we stuck to it, but we’re very good in adapting as the match goes on. Everyone just had a blast playing. What a team win.”
🎥⚽️Chasing the Cup is here!
— One Knoxville Sporting Club (@OneKnoxSC) April 27, 2026
Celebrating a new @opencup matchweek by reliving all of the action from our epic 'Cupset' in the nation's capital!#TOOK #BelieveInKnoxville @USLLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/UNgtnFT0qs
For second-year head coach Ian Fuller, the former Charleston Battery, Rochester Rhinos and Orlando City SC forward is no stranger to taking on the big boys in the Open Cup. Fuller faced several MLS teams during his playing days, even helping the Battery advance to the 2008 Open Cup Final where they fell to D.C. United at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. Nearly two decades later, the lower-division goalscorer turned title-winning coach enjoyed a special full-circle moment.
“We went in thinking that we were the better team,” said Knoxville head coach Ian Fuller. “I am so damned pleased for these guys. Everything that they’ve gone through and fought for, facing an MLS opponent is never easy and these guys did it on the road to advance, and with the way we did, I’m just so pleased for them.”
Next up, Knoxville will look to become one of just a handful of third-division teams to advance to the Quarterfinals of the Open Cup—something that hasn’t been done since fellow League One side Union Omaha reached that stage in 2022. One Knox will travel to face 2002 Open Cup champions Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET (Paramount+).
Key newcomers, former champions back on Open Cup stage
As 16 MLS sides entered the fray, a collection of high-profile players took the pitch in Open Cup play for the first time. Decorated German goalscorer Timo Werner made his Open Cup debut with the high-flying San Jose Earthquakes, captaining his side through the first 45 minutes and assisting Nick Fernandez’s third-minute winner against Phoenix Rising FC at PayPal Park. Two hours north in Sacramento, Colombia international James Rodríguez earned his first start with Minnesota United FC, playing through the first 66 minutes of the Loons’ penalty kick triumph against Sacramento Republic FC.
“Well, clearly scoring a goal in the first three minutes is huge, so I certainly liked that,” shared San Jose head coach Bruce Arena. “The second goal was important, and then we had a couple of chances at a third. One of the positives on the night is we got minutes for players that haven't played in a while. [Timo] Werner is an example. He got 45 minutes tonight.”
Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez makes his first start for @MNUFC 🇨🇴🙌 pic.twitter.com/VqcU6Vuzts
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 15, 2026
Elsewhere, other key players returned to Open Cup play: Miguel Almirón suited up in the tournament for the first time since 2018, making a quick appearance in Atlanta United FC’s 3-1 road victory against Chattanooga FC; Sweden international Emil Forsberg helped Red Bull New York to the Round of 16 for the second consecutive year with a goal and an assist against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC; and 2023 Open Cup champion and former Mexico international Héctor Herrera helped Houston Dynamo FC to the Round of 16 with an assist—his fourth goal contribution in his last five Open Cup contests.
Additional key debutants included former Mali international and Red Bull Salzburg mainstay Diadié Samassékou for the Houston Dynamo, Russia international and FC Lokomotiv Moscow legend Aleksey Miranchuk for Atlanta United, and longtime Arsenal FC defender Rob Holding for the Colorado Rapids.
USL Championship power LouCity gets second win against MLS visitor
Back-to-back USL Championship Players’ Shield winners Louisville City FC knocked off an MLS opponent for the second time in club history and the first since 2018, downing 2025 Open Cup runners-up Austin FC. Louisville’s victory—its first against a top-division club since defeating the New England Revolution in 2018—confirms its third trip to the Round of 16.
“We talked all week about standards, expectations, accountability,” Louisville interim head coach Simon Bird said. “I thought the guys came out and really did a good job from a character standpoint, mentality standpoint, against a very, very good team who caused us problems. We defended, we grinded for each other, and I was really proud.”
ATXFC rolled out a strong lineup, led by Facundo Torres and Myrto Uzuni, and anchored by former Louisville goalkeeper Damian Las in his first appearance with Austin. Louisville pestered the Austin backline early and often, jumping out to a 2-0 first-half lead through Sean Totsch’s goal in his 314th appearance with the club and Tola Showunmi’s tournament-leading fourth goal in Open Cup play. Austin responded through C.J. Fodrey’s 70th-minute goal, but it wasn’t enough for the MLS side to complete the comeback.
A historic night at Lynn Family Stadium 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tB269D9koZ
— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) April 15, 2026
“You could see what it meant to the locker room, by the effort that was put out there,” Louisville veteran Sean Totsch said. “I mean, I think it goes without saying that anyone who watched the game tonight knew that we wanted it and we wanted it the whole time.”
“I thought we were the better team,” Louisville midfielder Taylor Davila said. “Obviously, at the end of the game, they were going for it, but it was a better performance for us after the last two games.”
LouCity’s next task will be advancing beyond the Round of 16 for just the second time in club history. The USL Championship side will aim to return to the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2018 as they travel to Texas to face two-time Open Cup champion Houston Dynamo FC on Wednesday, April 29 at 8 p.m. ET (Paramount+).
Colorado Springs dominate four-time Open Cup champion
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC joined fellow USL Championship side Louisville as the only pair of Division II sides to take down an MLS opponent in the Round of 32. The Switchbacks dominated four-time Open Cup champion Sporting Kansas City at Weidner Field to secure their first victory against an MLS side in club history.
History made in Colorado Springs 👏@SwitchbacksFC take down an MLS side for the first time in club history! pic.twitter.com/nyxWvB0OQU
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 15, 2026
Juan Tejada scored his first goal of the season in match-winning fashion just 12 minutes into the contest, before 21-year-old Uganda youth international Sadam Masereka—an unsigned 2026 MLS SuperDraft selection by Sporting Kansas City—scored the second goal of his nascent professional career in the 31st minute. In the final 15 minutes of the match, a red card issued to Kansas City’s Shapi Suleymanov and a subsequent goal from Colorado Springs’ Khori Bennett confirmed the impressive Switchbacks victory.
Next up for the Switchbacks: the I-25 Derby against the MLS original Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, April 29 at 9 p.m. ET (Paramount+). The matchup—Colorado Springs’ first trip to the Round of 16—will be the third encounter between the pair of Centennial State sides; the Rapids defeated the Switchbacks at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in the Open Cup’s Round of 32 in both 2015 and 2016.
Talles Magno’s perfect outing for NYCFC
Back from his loan to Brazilian Série A side Corinthians, Talles Magno was stellar in New York City FC’s 5-2 road victory against local outfit Westchester SC. The defending Copa do Brasil champion constructed a 45-minute hat trick that was impressive for several reasons.
Our hat trick hero 🎩 pic.twitter.com/jZaOKkREpp
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) April 15, 2026
Magno’s hat trick was both the first of the 23-year-old’s professional career and also the first hat trick of this year’s tournament proper. The Brazilian also notched the first perfect hat trick in the Open Cup since 2019, when Minnesota United FC’s Ángelo Rodríguez completed his in 35 minutes against New Mexico United in the Quarterfinals.
NYCFC will have a chance to return to the Quarterfinals for the third time in club history, but first must face Hudson River Derby rival Red Bull New York for the 33rd time across all competitions. The pair have met in the Open Cup on three prior occasions, though all contests have been shutout victories for the Red Bulls. Pascal Jansen and NYCFC will look to snap the streak against their rivals at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. ET (Paramount+ / CBS Sports Network).
USMNT talents past and present back in Open Cup
Through the first three rounds of the 2026 Open Cup, 14 players with at least one appearance with the U.S. Men’s National Team have suited up. Additionally, two former USMNT coaches—the San Jose Earthquakes’ Bruce Arena and Chicago Fire FC’s Gregg Berhalter—are coaching in this year’s tournament.
Doing your post-match interview with the supporters?
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) April 15, 2026
That’s just @opencup, baby 🕺 #cf97 pic.twitter.com/GbtxEuwusm
Two-time Concacaf Nations League winner Luca de la Torre went the full 90 minutes in Charlotte FC’s 6-0 thrashing of crosstown foe Charlotte Independence, Minnesota United FC midfielder Wil Trapp made his 10th Open Cup appearance and has now seen action in the Open Cup in seven different seasons, Jackson Yueill helped the New England Revolution outlast Rhode Island FC on penalties, and 22-year-olds Cade Cowell and Paxten Aaronson made their first Open Cup appearances with their new teams, Red Bull New York and the Colorado Rapids, respectively.