November 25 – The U.S. Open Cup is the true destination in American soccer where dreams collide with reality. Founded in 1914 as the National Challenge Cup, it started as a battleground for immigrant clubs who wanted to keep the game alive in a new land and has now grown into the oldest annual team tournament in American sports.
Renamed the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in recognition of one of soccer’s greatest supporters, it remains the one competition where any team, from local amateurs to the big boys of Major League Soccer, can compete on the same field with everything on the line. That includes a big trophy, $1 million, and a place in the Concacaf Champions League.
Last weekend, 16 amateur teams earned their way into the 2026 edition of the tournament. Half of those qualifiers come from the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), a league that has built a reputation for producing underdogs who relish the chance to tweak noses and shock bigger opponents.
Six clubs are making their debut. Matches were competitive as 14 of the 16 qualifiers were decided by two goals or fewer, a reminder that with dreams 90 minutes away, players were ready to put it all on the line.
Plucky, Laguna United, located in Orange County, Southern California, is a prime example. After beating San Diego Internacional 4-2, the club is heading back to the 1st round proper.
“We played a familiar opposing team, repeating the same round versus San Diego Internacional last year, but the match was away,” said head coach Sam Nicholson. “This year it was great to play and win in front of a home crowd.”
For these clubs, the next step is the real thrill: a chance to face MLS or USL giants and chase the kind of cup upset fans talk about for years.
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