February 6, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Loudoun United FC News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Loudoun United FC is set toparticipate in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time in club history.
Founded in 1914, the 2023 Open Cup will be the 108th edition of the oldest soccer tournament in the United States. The Tournament Proper will feature both professional and amateur teams in the United States soccer league system. Qualifications for the 2023 tournament included 107 amateur teams, which took place between Sept. 17 to Dec. 18.
Tournament Proper takes place between Mar. 21 to Sept. 17. Division II teams, including Loudoun United FC, enter during Second Round Proper (Tuesday, Apr. 4 to Thursday, Apr. 6.). LUFC has declared their intention to host the Second Round Proper match. Opponent, date, and location are all announced after the first round is complete (Tuesday, March 21 to Thursday, March 23).
There’s plenty on the line, as the 2023 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn $300,000 in prize money, a berth in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League and have their name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy. The Open Cup gives managers another competition to juggle alongside the USL regular season’s 34-game schedule.
Since the inception of Major League Soccer in 1996, teams from the country’s topflight have dominated the tournament. Only once since has a team below the summit of the U.S. Soccer pyramid won the competition, the Rochester Rhinos in 1999. Two USL Championships teams have made final appearances (Charleston Battery, 2008 and Sacramento Republic FC, 2022).
Loudoun United FC kicks off the 2023 USL Championship season on March 11 at Memphis 901 FC. The Red-and-White are set to host defending champions San Antonio FC at Segra Field on March 19.
Season Tickets and Mini Plans are available now at https://www.loudoununitedfc.com/tickets/.
Tournament Proper Dates
Tuesday, March 21 – Thursday, March 23 – First Round Proper (National League Qualifiers Enter)
Tuesday, April 4 – Thursday, April 6 – Second Round Proper (Division II teams enter)
Tuesday, April 25 – Wednesday, April 26 – Third Round Proper (Division I teams enter)
Tuesday, May 9 – Wednesday, May10 – Round of 32 (6 to 8 seeded teams enter)
Tuesday, May 23 – Wednesday, May 24 – Round of 16
Tuesday, June 6 – Wednesday, June 7 – Quarterfinal
Wednesday, Aug. 23 – Semifinal
Wednesday, Sept. 27 – Final
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