The Quakes, in addition to huge weaponry in attack like ‘Chicho’ Arango and 2019 Open Cup Champion (with Atlanta United) Josef Martinez, also have former USMNT boss Bruce Arena – a legend in MLS circles – pulling the strings. Among the veteran coach’s many accolades, he scooped a U.S. Open Cup title back in MLS’ inaugural year when he was in charge of a dynastic D.C. United.
“It takes a little bit of everything to get going on an Open Cup run,” said Quakes midfielder Ian Harkes, son of USMNT star John Harkes, who lifted the Open Cup under Arena in D.C. in 1996. “You need everyone to step up and you need a little luck too. That way you give yourself a fighting chance.”
“It’s a different flavor to domestic Cup games,” added Harkes, who scored in a recent MLS regular season draw (3-3) against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. “Cup games are special.”
Phil Neville’s Timbers have started the stronger of the two in MLS league play this year, with his side sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference at the time of publication (five in front of the Quakes).
WATCH SJ Earthquakes (Div. I) v Portland Timbers (Div. I) on Paramount+ or on CBS Sports Network
Day Two – Underdog Hounds Sniff Glory amid Five All-MLS Clashes
Five of Wednesday (May 21) night’s games kick off at the same time (7:30 pm ET).
One of those contests, in particular, embodies the spirit and magic of the Open Cup in its purest form. When the Division II USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds travel to take on MLS’ 2025 regular-season high flyers Philadelphia Union it will be a battle between two of this country’s most traditional and historic soccer epicenters. It will also be a clash of underdog-outsiders against a prohibitive favorite – as the Union sealed top spot in MLS league play with a win this weekend.
The Riverhounds, who beat two MLS sides in 2023 to reach that year’s Open Cup Quarterfinals, are led by legendary lower-league Boss Bob Lilley. “The odds of winning the Cup, for a second-division team, are astronomical,” the iconic coach said. “I’m confident that my guys can step up when needed. A Cup run is something they all want to be a part of.”
The Riverhounds’ dramatic win over MLS’ NYCFC in the Round of 32 was the lone Cupset of that stage of the tournament. And to pull off another one, against a Philly Union side who leaned on experience (38-year-old Alejandro Bedoya) and youth (15-year-old Cavan Sullivan) in their Round of 32 win (via shootout against Indy eleven) will require a massive effort and a lot of good fortune.
But it’s possible, friends, and that’s what our Open Cup is all about.
WATCH Phil. Union (Div. I) v Pitt. Riverhounds (Div. II) on Paramount+
The five other games of the Round of 16’s Day Two pit MLS teams against other MLS teams. The top-flight of this country’s soccer pyramid, who’ve provided our winner in 25 of the last 26 editions, are clearly motivated in this year’s 110th Open Cup.
The New York Red Bulls, led by Swedish star Emile Forsberg and with the recent addition of former Bayern Munich man Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, laid down a marker with a 4-1 win over USL Championship defending-champions Colorado Springs Switchbacks on the road in the last round. Now they meet two-time Champions FC Dallas (1997 and 2016), who boast one of the league’s top goalkeepers in Maarten Paes in addition to former MLS MVP Lucho Acosta’s creative spark.
