It’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup time for Major League Soccer teams and all 20 United States-based teams are in Fourth Round action on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Here’s a look at Wednesday’s 8:30 pm ET kickoffs:
Nashville SC vs. Colorado Rapids (8:30 pm ET)
Coached by Gary Smith, who led the Colorado Rapids to the 2010 MLS Cup, Nashville SC will be seeking their first win over an MLS side when they host the struggling Rapids Wednesday at First Tennessee Park.
In their first season in the USL, Nashville defeated Inter Nashville, 2-0, on a Tucker Hume brace in the Second Round, then knocked off Mississippi Brilla, 3-1, in the Third Round, with Brandon Allen (the younger brother of Orlando City SC’sR.J. Allen) opening the scoring.
The Rapids struggles aren’t limited to MLS play. After reaching the 1999 final where they fell to the Rochester Rhinos, Colorado haven't won multiple games in a single Open Cup since. Last year they beat OKC Energy FC, 3-2, in the Fourth Round before falling to FC Dallas, 3-1, in Frisco.
Houston Dynamo vs. NTX Rayados (8:30 pm ET)
The Houston Dynamo, two-time semifinalists, will look to knock the tournament’s Cinderella side from its perch when they meet NTX Rayados Wednesday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.
A year ago, the Dynamo went on the road and edged North Carolina FC, 3-2, in extra-time in the Fourth Round before losing at home to eventual champions Sporting Kansas City, 2-0, in the Round of 16.
The Rayados are the story of the early rounds of the U.S. Open Cup this year. The amateur side from Dallas defeated the Fort Worth Vaqueros, OKC Energy FC and FC Wichita for their date with history. The darlings from the North Texas Premier Soccer League attempt to become the first amateur team in the modern era to advance beyond the Fourth Round.
San Antonio FC vs. FC Dallas (8:30 pm ET)
FC Dallas, which has won the U.S. Open Cup twice (in 1997 and 2016) in four final match appearances, will head to Toyota Field to meet San Antonio FC for a Fourth Round encounter Wednesday night.
In the only other U.S. Open Cup encounter between the teams, FC Dallas defeated San Antonio, 2-0, in Frisco in the Fourth Round of the 2014 tournament.
The USL side easily defeated Midland-Odessa Sockers FC, 4-0, before needing penalties to oust Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the Third Round.
In 20 all-time meetings with Division 2 professional teams in the U.S. Open Cup, FC Dallas have only lost once.
