The semifinals of the U.S Open Cup, the longest running soccer competition in the United States, will be played this Wednesday, August 23rd. Inter Miami CF will take on FC Cincinnati and Houston Dynamo square up with Real Salt Lake for a place in the final.
The tournament, initially called the National Challenge Cup, was founded in 1914 and kept its name until 1989, when it was renamed the U.S. Open Cup. In 1999, the tournament was officially named the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to honor the Aerican businessman who helped promote the sport in the U.S.
In 2008, CONCACAF decided that the champion of the tournament would get a spot in the Confederation Champions Cup, the precursor to the Champions Cup. The New England Revolution was the first club to earn the spot.
Each team’s path to the semifinals
Inter Miami CF beat their Leagues Cup final counterpart Nashville SC in the round of 16 and then eliminated the Birmingham Legion 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
FC Cincinnati knocked out New York Red Bull 5-4 in a penalty shootout following a1-1 draw. Then in the quarterfinals, they took out the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 3-1.
On the other side of the bracket, Houston Dynamo swept Austin FC aside on the road with a 2-0 win and thrashed Chicago Fire 4-1.
Lastly, Real Salt Lake squeaked by Colorado Rapids 1-0 and in the quarterfinals they won another nailbiter, a 3-2 win over Los Angeles Galaxy.
What time will the semifinals be played?
Inter Miami CF vs FC Cincinnati will kickoff at 7:00 PM ET at TQL Stadium.
The second semifinal between Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake will start at 9:30 PM ET at Shell Energy Stadium.
What are the winningest teams in the U.S. Open Cup?
Maccabi Los Angeles - 5
Bethlehem Steel - 5
Chicago Fire - 4
Philadelphia Ukrainians - 4
Greek American AA - 4
Seattle Sounders FC - 4
Fall River F.C. - 4
Sporting Kansas City - 4
Stix, Baer and Fuller - 3
D.C. United - 3
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms - 3
