This was a game I had been looking forward to since the beginning of the season.

The New England Revolution’s first game in the 2026 U.S. Open Cup, likely against a local rival from the USL.

When the schedule was announced that the Revs would be playing Rhode Island FC, I was pumped. This is what we all wanted: a chance to see two soccer teams from New England fight it out for a spot in the round of 16 in the most storied soccer tournament in our country.

There is magic in the Open Cup, no doubt about that. It brings us back to our soccer roots, giving us stories and drama impossible in any other setting. How can you not fall in love with the beautiful game when you watch amateur and lower-level professional teams go up against the giants of MLS?

While the Open Cup is by no means perfect, I think it captures all the good things about the game. The opportunity for players to shine, regardless of what team or league they play in. A heart-stopping single-elimination format, where anything can happen.

Upsets, drama, and glory. Legends not yet written that be remembered forever by the fanbases of the growing number of soccer teams strewn across this vast country.

Two teams, separated by some 30-odd miles, would never have had the chance to play a meaningful game against one another if not for the Open Cup. The tournament is critical to growing the sport not only in New England but across the nation.

It is a legitimate shame how the executives calling the shots in MLS treat the competition as some sort of side show. I know, I know. It is not the job of MLS to grow the sport in the United States. They have made that clear. We know their motives, ones that are all too familiar. Money and greed.

People in power chase money and are fueled by greed. MLS would rather their teams participate in Leagues Cup and rake in money than play in the Open Cup. When MLS made that decision a few years back, fans across MLS voiced their frustration, but it fell on deaf ears. The message from MLS was clear: money over fans.

What else is new?

As I step off my soapbox and try to put aside my frustrations with the league for a second, we need to talk about the game on Tuesday night in Rhode Island. Did the Revolution start most of their best eleven players? Nope. Despite that, was this probably the most entertaining game of their young season? I would argue yes, though I would understand folks who think the dominant showing against FC Cincinnati was better.

I loved seeing players on the Revolution who don’t normally get much playing time given the opportunity to show their skills in a game that means something. I loved seeing the players for Rhode Island FC up for the challenge against their MLS neighbors. They had everything to fight for and nothing to lose, taking on the Revs in their home stadium along the banks of the Seekonk River in Pawtucket.

The game was even in the first half, with neither side getting many goal-scoring opportunities. It was not until early in the second half when club legend Diego Fagundez opened the scoring with an amazing volley in the 50th minute. The goal was set up by a sublime knock-down header by right back Damario McIntosh from a cross by left back Peyton Miller. McIntosh’s header fell right into the path of Fagundez, whose volley smashed into the back of the net in front of the Revolution faithful. It was a perfect goal, one constructed by multiple generations of players developed in New England’s pro-player pathway.

The way the team played in Pawtucket was everything you could ask for as a Revolution fan. They worked hard, they were bought in, and they almost won the game in regulation. Unfortunately for Revs fans, as things sometimes go in the Open Cup, there was more to the story.

Rhode Island tied the game in the eleventh minute of stoppage time, from a header scored by JJ Williams. It was devastating, but it was also awesome. It was one of those classic Open Cup moments that I will never forget.

The game was decided in penalties, with Revolution keeper Donovan Parisian making three saves in the penalty shootout to help the Revs take home the victory. It was an amazing performance by Parisian, who had an excellent game in his first team debut. Luca Langoni and Andrew Farrell both scored their penalties, as did Tanner Beason to ultimately win the game.

I turned off the TV after the game and couldn’t help but smile. The joy I felt watching the Revs pull out this victory will sit with me for a long time. I felt a sense of pride seeing those players on the field representing our club: the young homegrown heroes, the role players giving their all, and the legends we will never forget.

I am excited for the next match in the round of 16, another chapter in our U.S. Open Cup history. Hopefully, there are many, many more to come.