The third round of the U.S. Open Cup was remarkable because of its parity. Only one out of 16 matches ended with a margin greater than two goals. Four third-division teams pulled off Cup-sets, and another nearly did so before falling on penalty kicks. Along the way, we got hat tricks, derby matches, and the debut of a show-stealing moose.
What else defined the round? I’m dishing out superlatives to find out.
Biggest Coverage Upgrade
As convenient as it might be to fire up a YouTube stream to watch Flatirons FC or Laguna United try for a Cup-set, the future of the U.S. Open Cup is tied to its visibility and profitability. By that measuring stick, the tournament’s 2025 debut on the CBS ecosystem was a boon.
