There’s a twinkle of light off in the distance, friends.
It’s the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy, and it’s coming into focus for the eight surviving teams – all from Major League Soccer (MLS) – of our 2025 Quarterfinal Round. Two historic Champions, D.C. United and Chicago Fire, look to recapture former glories while the remaining six, Minnesota United FC, San Jose Earthquakes, Austin FC, Philadelphia Union, NY Red Bulls and Nashville SC, all take aim at what would be a first-ever lift of our historic prize.
You can WATCH all the action LIVE, with a pair of double-headers on Tuesday July 8 and Wednesday July 9. All four GAMES are available to stream on Paramount+ with other viewing options on air at CBS Sports Network and for FREE on the CBS Sports Golazo Network (details below).
Day 1: Three Teams Chase a First; Chicago Hunt Historic Fifth
The Quarterfinal Round of the 110th edition of the U.S. Open Cup kicks off in the Twin Cities, where Minnesota United FC host four-time Open Cup Champions Chicago Fire. The Loons have one player, captain and long throw-in master Michael Boxall, who was a part of the team that reached our 2019 Final. This new-look MNUFC, a squad that spurns needless possession and covets lightning-counter attacks and inventive set-pieces, is up near the top of MLS’ Western Conference (third, only two points off leaders San Diego FC) and got there with a style some neutrals love and others hate – but that has hardcore fans in the North Country dreaming of trophies.
“We like to do things our own way and we’re not okay with just being okay,” said Julian Gressel, who arrived in Minnesota in late April from the flash and pomp of Inter Miami, and who’s been linking up with Anthony Markanich to great effect. “We’re here to win – in MLS play and the Open Cup. The fans here deserve one of those special nights and we want to be the team that brings a trophy here.”
The results of an official Hosting Draw, conducted last month, mean that, should the Loons win their Quarterfinal, they would host the Semi (on September 16-17) and, should they win that, the Final (on October 1) would be at their Allianz Field too. “Nights like that mean everything,” added Gressel, who won the Open Cup at home with Atlanta United in 2019, and has been crucial in recent wins over Louisville City of the USL Championship and fellow MLS outfit St. Louis CITY SC. “We have to make sure we do all we can to make it happen.”
Gregg Berhalter’s Chicago Fire – led by the attacking nous and output of Hugo Cuypers and Philip Zinckernagel, have their own motivations driving them forward. Struggling to break into the top half of MLS’ Eastern Conference standings, a deep run in the Open Cup – where they’ve beaten New England Revolution and Division II Detroit City FC – is a huge opportunity for the side from the Windy City.
A win would also mark the Fire down in the history books. They’d be the first team from MLS to win five Open Cup titles – and only the fourth team to do so in history, alongside legendary old-timers Maccabee LA, Bethlehem Steel and the Fall River Marksmen.
WATCH MNUFC (MLS) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS) on Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network
Tuesday’s other Quarterfinal is out in California’s Bay Area, where two-time Open Cup Semifinalists the San Jose Earthquakes (2004 and 2017) aim for their highest-water mark again against Austin FC.
The Quakes, on a tasty Open Cup run after a stretch of upsets at the hands of lower-league opposition like Sacramento Republic (2022 and 2024) and Monterey Bay (2023), are led by American coaching royalty in the form of Bruce Arena. The long-time USMNT boss has built a strong side – balanced on the defensive assurance of Dave Romney and Mark-Anthony Kaye and with former Open Cup Champion Josef Martinez (Atlanta United, 2019) and Chicho Arango causing havoc in attack. A draw against fellow Open Cup Quarterfinalists the New York Red Bulls in MLS league play this weekend has them near the Top Five in the league’s Western Conference and very much in striking distance of the top.
“You need a little bit of everything to have success in the Open Cup – luck, a deep squad and confidence to build at the right time,” said Ian Harkes, son of former Open Cup Champion John (who won our prize with D.C. United and Columbus Crew in 1996 and 2002 respectively) and who’s the all-energy dynamo in midfield that keeps this Quakes side humming. “There’s a different flavor to Open Cup games and we have the kind of players we need to make something good of it.”
Austin FC, who started life in MLS in 2021 and whose first win in the Open Cup only came in 2022, don’t have much history to stand on. But they do boast a former Champion, and one who’s been in the mood for goals since the side roared back from a two-goal deficit to knock out Division II El Paso Locomotive in the Round of 32. Brandon Vazquez – the USMNT ace who finished top scorer for Atlanta United when they lifted the Open Cup in 2019 – has three goals in two games in this year’s edition.
