Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Round 2 Preview | OneFootball

Twelve teams and six matches on April 1st to kick off the Open Cup second round. All first round games were streaming for free on YouTube; we hope this is the case in the second round as well. Starting in the third round, the matches will be behind the paywall on Paramount+.

Columbus Crew 2 (MLS Next Pro) vs. Lexington SC (USL-C)

6:00pm ET – Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio I’ve been generally favorable towards the MLS academies in today’s set of fixtures, but not this one. The Crew lads may have handled the amateur NY Renegades, but they’ve conceded eight goals in their last three league matches. Lexington are in fine form, with a vibrant and dynamic attack and should ship at least three or four.

South Georgia Tormenta FC (USL-1) vs. Foro SC (UPSL)

7:00pm ET – Tormenta Stadium, Statesboro, GeorgiaThere are four potential giant-killings in this round. This is one that actually has a chance of happening. Foro shocked Texoma in the first round with an extra time winner after both sides had been reduced to 10 men. Brayden Padilla scored the brace; keep an eye on him. Tormenta cruised past Harbor City easily, but this one won’t be smooth sailing. This match in Georgia should be equally physical.

Charlotte Independence (USL-1) vs. Carolina Core FC (MLS Next Pro)

7:30pm ET – Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews, Matthews, North CarolinaCharlotte’s extra time win over the Long Island Rough Riders was one of the best games of the first round. Carolina Core has a strong and dedicated fanbase who won’t mind a two-hour drive to support their team on the road. It should be a raucous crowd and thrilling match with plenty of offense.

Inter Miami CF II (MLS Next Pro) vs. Miami FC (USL-C)

7:30pm ET – Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FloridaIn Saturday’s loss to New Mexico, Miami finally showed some attacking spark. Miami’s new keeper Bill Hamid is a solid rock of a player. But do not let two tiers of difference fool you… Miami FC will be pushed by their local rival’s academy team whose average age is only 19 years old (Miami’s is 27).

Monterey Bay (USL-C) vs. El Farolito (NPSL)

10:00pm ET – Cardinale Stadium, Seaside, CaliforniaThe Burrito Boys head to the sardine capital of the West for a delicious showdown. Given Monterey’s current run of form, they should be able to handle the disruption and physicality Farolito will bring to the pitch.

AV Alta FC (USL-1) vs. LAFC 2 (MLS Next Pro)

10:30pm ET – Lancaster Municipal Stadium, Lancaster, CaliforniaLAFC 2 aren’t your typical fourth tier team. They are very young (average age 19 years), but have tremendous financial and training support from the parent club. AV Alta haven’t played much this year, but in their league they’ve been awful. I think the LAFC kids will pip the higher tier AV Alta.