Qualifying continues this weekend for the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Four teams remain in the New England area, with just one that will end up making it to the tournament proper to join fellow amateur sides Vermont Green FC and New Haven United FC this upcoming April.
The Third Qualifying Round will feature representation from three leagues - the Bay State Soccer League (BSSL), United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) and American Premier Soccer League (APSL). Representation in the region is still spread across two states; most hailing from Massachusetts, with KO Elites FC the lone team from Connecticut.
Most U.S. Open Cup Qualifiers are free to attend. If you can't make it to matches, livestreams or full match replays are usually available on the home team's YouTube page.
3rd Qualifying Round Matchups
Fall River FC (UPSL) vs. KO Elites FC (APSL)
Time: Saturday 10/31, 3:30pm EST
Location: Fall River, MA @ Britland Park
Where to Watch: In person (free!!), YouTube
Team Pages: Fall River FC, KO Elites FC
Two sides earning advancement in polar opposite ways will face off on Massachusetts' South Coast on Halloween.
KO Elites FC, in their first-ever qualification campaign, managed to reach the Third Qualifying Round by way of a 1-0 victory away at Somerville United a few weeks ago. A tight game that remained level after 45 minutes.
Fall River FC, on the other hand, piled eight goals onto their previous round opponent after playing up a man for over half the game. Both sides carry phenomenal form into this matchup, going 3-0-0 in their last three league matches. Look for goals in this one.
FC Omens (BSSL) vs. CD Faialense (BSSL)
Time: Sunday, 11/1, 1:30pm EST
Location: West Roxbury, MA @ West Roxbury High School
Where to Watch: In person (free!!), YouTube
Team Pages: FC Omens, CD Faialense
It'll be a battle of perseverance in this intraleague clash of two sides that have met many times in their regular seasons, but never in U.S. Open Cup Qualifying.
FC Omens came out of their previous game with a narrower-than-it-seemed 3-1 victory over an Atletico Boston side that played with 10 men the entire game, only eeking out two final goals in the third and fifth minutes of added time to avoid thirty more minutes of play.
CD Faialense had their own struggles, playing Brockton FC United in a tight fixture that did end up going to extra time, completing their 3-2 win in the 96th minute.
In their last meeting on September 12, FC Omens took three points in a 3-1 victory over Cambridge's CD Faialense. This match ought to be hotly contested as both sides know how to bend, not break.
The winners on the weekend will advance to the Final Qualifying Round taking place the weekend of November 21 & 22, where one side will officially qualify for the tournament.
Attend a game, tune in via YouTube, or look out for a round recap to find out who gets one last bite at the apple for qualification and a chance to earn the John Motta Trophy for being the furthest-advancing Open Division side, $50,000, and automatic First Round Qualification to the 2028 U.S. Open Cup.
