The 2022 US Open Cup third round goes down Tuesday and Wednesday with things getting serious as 17 MLS sides join the competition (the remaining eight enter in the fourth round). You'll need an ESPN+ subscription to watch, but the good news is that all 24 matches will be broadcast with no local blackouts.
If you're looking for the ultimate underdogs, we still have two amateur teams in the tournament. FC Motown of the NPSL is away to Rochester New York FC (the only independent club in MLS Next Pro), and the North Carolina Fusion U-23s are up against USL League One side Richmond Kickers.
But Round 3 is loaded with other captivating matches that showcase regional rivalries we don't frequently get to see. The level of excitement around this year's competition feels palpable after Covid-19 canceled the 2020 and 2021 tournaments, so if you haven't dove into the madness that is the US Open Cup before, now's the perfect time to get stuck in.
2022 US Open Cup Third Round: 5 Matches To Watch
Detroit City FC vs. Columbus Crew
Date: Tuesday, April 19 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Keyworth Stadium, Detroit | TV: ESPN+
If it's a visual spectacle you want, then its Detroit vs. Columbus at Keyworth Stadium for you. The 8,000-seat stadium is renowned for providing one of the greatest atmospheres in the American game, including wild displays of pyrotechnics and smoke bombs.
Detroit's 3-0 victory over Michigan Stars in the second round went viral after the losing team complained of being "sabotaged with smoke, darkness and smell." Now it's time for Lucas Zelarayán and the Crew to experience the same.
LA Galaxy vs. San Diego Loyal SC
Date: Tuesday, April 19 | Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson | TV: ESPN+
LA Galaxy legend Landon Donovan became the inaugural manager of San Diego Loyal back in 2019, and the team showed great signs of progress last year by finishing sixth in the Western Conference and making the USL Championship playoffs. They've continued that form this season with five wins, one draw and two defeats through eight games.
Now Donovan returns to Dignity Health Sports Park to take on the Galaxy, managed by former teammate Greg Vanney, and Chicharito.
"They are prohibitive favorites," Donovan said. "They have players on their roster who make $4 million, $5 million, $6 million, versus guys on our roster who in most cases make at most six figures. It's a whole different animal. The experience will be literally priceless for our players. But we're not going there to just be a wall ornament. We're going there to try to win the game. There's no question. We will do our best to do so."
Forward Madison FC vs. Minnesota United FC
Date: Wednesday, April 20 | Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Breese Stevens Field, Madison | TV: ESPN+
The jerseys. The wild fan appreciation nights. The brilliant social media work. There's no way that Forward Madison hasn't infiltrated your news feed in some way over the last few years, and now the USL League One side has a dream Open Cup matchup against the Loons.
A contest between Wisconsin and Minnesota, no matter what's at stake, always delivers.
Oh, geez!
You'll want to arrive to Breese a little early on Wednesday to pick up this amazing, special-edition Match Poster from Olivia Booth. pic.twitter.com/JxIfG0N0Yj— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) April 19, 2022
San Antonio FC vs. Austin FC
Date: Wednesday, April 20 | Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Toyota Field, San Antonio | Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Austin is flying in MLS at the moment with 17 goals scored and a second-place position in the Western Conference. San Antonio has also started strongly in the USL Championship with five wins from six matches.
Expect goals and an excellent atmosphere at the 8,466-seat Toyota Field in San Antonio for this Texas derby.
Real Salt Lake vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm
Date: Wednesday, April 20 | Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium, Salt Lake | TV: ESPN+
The Rocky Mountain Cup between RSL and the Colorado Rapids is one of Major League Soccer's great rivalries, and it's clear that the animosity remains even when its USL League One side Northern Colorado coming to town – they're expecting around 20,000 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The Hailstorm's first-ever match was actually the Open Cup upset of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on April 6, although they've since drawn with Richmond Kickers and lost to Charlotte Independence in league play.
