La Cancha® » CONCACAF

Jamaica and Suriname are seeking to follow in the footsteps of Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico and Costa Rica as World Cup play-off winners.

US SOCCER — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:08:51 +0000

Concacaf teams have advanced to the FIFA World Cup via the play-offs three times
Costa Rica were last to do it when they edged New Zealand to reach Qatar 2022
Jamaica and Suriname hope to become the latest sides to achieve that feat

The battle for the final spots in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ takes place in late March, with two places to be determined in the FIFA Play-off Tournament. Concacaf sides Jamaica and Suriname will attempt to give the region eight teams in this year’s global showpiece, joining co-hosts Canada, Mexico and USA, along with qualifiers Curaçao Haiti and Panama.

Jamaica must first get past New Caledonia before a winner-takes-all affair with Congo DR, while a Suriname victory against Bolivia would set up a showdown against Iraq. History suggests that both the Reggae Boyz and A Natio can feel optimistic about their chances.

In six previous intercontinental play-offs involving a Concacaf team, three times they have emerged victorious. FIFA takes a look back at who punched their ticket and who came up just short.

USMNT HEAD COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 AT 2:30 P.M. ET AT START OF WORLD CUP YEAR AND AHEAD OF UPCOMING MATCHES AGAINST BELGIUM AND PORTUGAL

US SOCCER — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:45:26 +0000

Atlanta to Host a Pair of Matches as USMNT Will Face Belgium, presented by AT&T, in Atlanta, Ga. on Mar. 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and USA-Portugal, presented by Bank of America, on Mar. 31

ATLANTA (Jan. 28, 2026) – U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be available to speak to the media via videoconference on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. ET to open 2026 ahead of upcoming matches against Belgium and Portugal.

Advance registration is required, and the link to register is below.

As the new home of U.S. Soccer, Atlanta will host a pair of matches, beginning with USA-Belgium, presented by AT&T, on March 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff against the ninth-ranked Belgian side is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock.

Three days later, USA-Portugal, presented by Bank of America, kicks off at 7 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the match against the 6th-ranked Portuguese side to be shown live on TNT, TruTV, HBO Max, Universo, and Peacock.

USMNT MEDIA AVAILABILITY SCHEDULE
Jan. 29, 2026
– Tentative & Subject to Change - 
– All Times are Local; For planning purposes only, not for public release –

WHO	USMNT Virtual Media Availability
WHAT	USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino
WHEN	Thursday, Jan. 29 2:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. CT / 12:30 p.m. MT / 11:30 a.m. PT
REGISTRATION LINK	Register Here

U.S. Soccer Contact Info:

Michael Kammarman / Director of Communications, USMNT

Email: mkammarman@ussoccer.org

Mobile: 312-371-8609

Paola Reyes / Media Operations

Email: preyes@ussoccer.org

Mobile: 872-329-0963

USMNT DRAWS PARAGUAY, AUSTRALIA AND EITHER KOSOVO, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA OR TÜRKIYE IN GROUP D AT THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

US SOCCER — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 02:47:45 +0000

USA Opens Against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles, Faces Australia in Second Match on June 19 in Seattle and Closes Group Stage with Winner of UEFA Playoff C on June 25 in Los Angeles;

FIFA Will Announce Match Times and Full Schedule Saturday at Noon ET

ATLANTA (December 5, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s National Team was drawn into Group D along with Paraguay, Australia and the winner of UEFA Playoff C — either Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Türkiye — at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw held today in Washington, D.C.

Appearing in its 12th World Cup and second time as a host nation, the USMNT opens group play against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles, Calif. The second group stage match will take place on June 19 in Seattle against Australia and the USA will finish back in Los Angeles on June 25 against the UEFA Playoff C winner. The full tournament schedule, which includes venues and kickoff times, will be confirmed by FIFA Saturday at noon ET.

All 2026 FIFA World Cup matches will be shown live on FOX Sports and Telemundo broadcast networks.

2026 FIFA World Cup Groups:

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, UEFA Playoff D (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, Republic of Ireland)

Group B: Canada, UEFA Playoff A (Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland), Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C (Slovakia, Kosovo, Türkiye, Romania)

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Playoff B (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania), Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA Playoff 2 (Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq), Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, FIFA Playoff 1 (New Caledonia, Jamaica, DR Congo), Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

USA’s Group D Schedule at 2026 FIFA World Cup (all times TBD):

Match 1: USA vs. Paraguay (June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium; Inglewood, Calif.)

Match 2: Australia vs. USA (June 19 at Seattle Stadium; Seattle, Wash.)

Match 3: USA vs. Winner of UEFA Playoff C (June 25 at Los Angeles Stadium; Inglewood, Calif.)
USA’s Potential Round of 32 Path:

Should the USA finish top of Group D, it will face a third-place team from either Group B, Group F, Group I, or Group J.
Should the USA finish second in Group D, it would face the second-place team from Group G.
Should the USA finish third in Group D and be among the top eight third-place finishers, the USMNT would face the winner from either Group E, Group I or Group K.

Utilizing a significant player pool, a total of 56 players earned at least one cap in 2025 under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. By bringing larger camps and rotating more players through key match windows, Pochettino has prioritized building a roster capable of playing multiple styles, adjusting to diverse opponents, and sustaining peak performance over the length of a home World Cup. The approach reflects a long-term plan to maximize depth, sharpen internal competition, and raise the overall ceiling of the program ahead of 2026.

The USA is gearing up for its ninth FIFA World Cup since 1990 and 12th overall appearance in the tournament. The USMNT heads into 2026 unbeaten in its last five matches, with four victories against teams that were already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

USA’s All-Time Record against Group D Opponents and Potential Opponents:

Paraguay: 5-2-2 (12 GF, 7 GA)

Australia: 2-1-1 (5 GF, 3 GA)

Kosovo: 0-0-0 (0 GF, 0 GA)

Romania: 1-2-1 (4 GF, 4 GA)

Slovakia: 0-1-0 (0 GF, 1 GA)

Türkiye: 2-2-1 (7 GF, 7 GA)

Group D Opponent and Potential Opponent Profiles:

Country: Australia

Current FIFA World Ranking: 26
FIFA Trigram: AUS

Language: English

Championship Honors: AFC Asian Cup (2015); OFC Nations Cup (1980, 1996, 2000, 2004)

USMNT Record vs. Australia: 2-1-1 (5 GF, 3 GA)

World Cup Finals Appearances: 7 – 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026

World Cup Record: 4-12-4 (17 GF, 37 GA)

Best World Cup Finish: Round of 16, 2022

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Finished 2nd in AFC Third Round Group C (5-1-4; 16 GF, 7 GA); Finished 1^stin AFC Second Round Group I (6-0-0; 22 GF, 0 GA)

Date Qualified: June 10, 2025

Leading World Cup Qualifying Scorer: Kusini Yengi (6)

Head Coach: Tony Popovic (Australia)

Key Players: Mathew Ryan (Levante UD/ESP), Aiden O’Neill (New York City FC/USA), Nestory Irankunda (Watford/ENG), Kusini Yengi (Aberdeen FC/SCO), Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC/USA)

Fast Facts: Australia has qualified for six consecutive World Cup tournaments dating back to 2006 … The most recent meeting between the U.S. and Australia was a friendly on November 10, 2025, in Commerce City, Colo. where the U.S. won 2-1 … The U.S. and Australia have never faced each other in a World Cup … Head Coach Tony Popovic will become the first Australian to play and manage the team at the World Cup … Australia’s all-time top goalscorer, Tim Cahill (50 goals), played two-and-a-half seasons with New York Red Bulls of MLS … Current Australia midfielder Aiden O’Neill plays for MLS club New York City FC where he is a teammate of U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese … Midfielder Patrick Yazbek also plays in MLS for Eastern Conference side Nashville SC … On January 1, 2006, Australia officially became a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after 40 years in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

Country: Paraguay

Current FIFA World Ranking: 39
FIFA Trigram: PAR

Language: Guarani, Spanish

Championship Honors: Copa America (1952/53, 1979)

USMNT Record vs. Paraguay: 5-2-2 (12 GF, 7 GA)

World Cup Finals Appearances: 9 – 1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2026

World Cup Record: 7-10-10 (30 GF, 38 GA)

Best World Cup Finish: Quarterfinals, 2010

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Finished 6th in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying (7-4-7; 14 GF, 10 GA)

Date Qualified: September 4, 2025

Leading World Cup Qualifying Scorer: Tony Sanabria (4)

Head Coach: Gustavo Alfaro (Argentina)

Key Players: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United/USA), Julio Enciso (RC Strasbourg/FRA), Diego Gomez (Brighton and Hove Albion/ENG), Braian Ojeda (Real Salt Lake/USA), Omar Alderete (Sunderland/ENG)

Fast Facts: Paraguay returns to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years, making its ninth appearance … The last meeting between the U.S. and Paraguay came on November 15, 2025, an international friendly in Chester, Pa. with the USA winning, 2-1 … The teams first met at the inaugural 1930 World Cup, a 3-0 victory for the U.S. with American Bert Patenaude scoring the first-ever World Cup hat trick… En route to qualification Paraguay defeated CONMEBOL giants Brazil 1-0 and Argentina 2-1 … Midfielder Miguel Almiron plays for MLS club Atlanta United where he was teammates with the recently retired former U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan … In 2010, Paraguay recorded its best finish making it to the quarterfinals against eventual World Cup champion Spain … Alongside the United States, Paraguay was one of 13 teams to participate in the inaugural 1930 World Cup … Former forward Roque Santa Cruz is Paraguay’s all-time leading goal scorer with 32 goals.

POTENTIAL GROUP D OPPONENTS PENDING UEFA/FIFA PLAYOFF ON MARCH 26 AND 31:

Country: Slovakia

Current FIFA World Ranking: 45
FIFA Trigram: SVK

Language: Slovak

Championship Honors: None

USMNT Record vs. Slovakia: 0-1-0 (0 GF, 1 GA)

USMNT Record vs. Czechoslovakia*: 0-1-0 (1 GF, 5 GA)
*Both Slovakia and Czechia are considered successors to Czechoslovakia

World Cup Finals Appearances: 9 – 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1982, 1990 (as Czechoslovakia) 2010 (as Slovakia)

World Cup Record: 12-16-6 (49 GF, 52 GA)

Best World Cup Finish: Runner-up, 1962

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Finished 2nd in UEFA Group A (4-2-0; 6 GF, 8 GA); Will compete in European Playoff C vs. Kosovo with the winner to play the winner of Türkiye vs. Romania

Date Qualified: TBD; UEFA Playoff C

Leading World Cup Qualifying Scorer: Six players tied with one goal

Head Coach: Francesco Calzona (Italy)

Key Players: Milan Skriniar (Fenerbahce/TUR), Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli/ITA), David Hancko (Atletico Madrid/ESP), David Strelec (Middlesbrough/ENG), Tomas Suslov (Hellas Verona/ITA), Martin Dubravka (Burnley/ENG)

Fast Facts: With two games left to play in European Playoff C, Slovakia hopes to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 … The first and only meeting between the U.S. and Slovakia was an international friendly on November 14, 2009, in Bratislava, Slovakia … Slovakia won 1-0 … Marek Hamsik is Slovakia’s all-time top scorers with 26 goals … Defender David Hancko is currently teammates with U.S. midfielder Johnny Cardoso at Spanish club Atletico Madrid … Forward David Strelec is currently teammates with U.S. midfielder Aidan Morris at English club Middlesbrough …The USA and Czechoslovakia met in the opening match of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, a 5-1 win for Czechoslovakia.

Country: Kosovo

Current FIFA World Ranking: 80
FIFA Trigram: KOS

Language: Albanian, Serbian

Championship Honors: None

USMNT Record vs. Kosovo: 0-0-0 (0 GF, 0 GA)

World Cup Finals Appearances: None

World Cup Record: 0-0-0 (0 GF, 0 GA)

Best World Cup Finish: None

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Finished 2nd in UEFA Group B (3-1-2; 6 GF, 5 GA); Will compete in European Playoff C vs. Slovakia with the winner to play the winner of Türkiye vs. Romania

Date Qualified: TBD; UEFA Playoff C

Leading World Cup Qualifying Scorer: Fisnik Asllani (2)

Head Coach: Franco Foda (Germany)

Key Players: Edon Zhegrova (Juventus/ITA), Vedat Muriqi (RCD Mallorca/ESP), Amir Rrahmani (Napoli/ITA), Fisnik Asllani (TSG Hoffenheim/GER), Arijanet Muric (Sassuolo/ITA), Milot Rashica (Besiktas/TUR)

Fast Facts: With two games left to play in European Playoff C, Kosovo hopes to appear to the World Cup for the first time ever … The U.S and Kosovo have never faced each other … Kosovo is led by Vedat Muriqi, who is the country’s all-time leading scorer with 32 goals … Forward Edon Zhegrova is currently teammates with U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie at Italian club Juventus.

Country: Türkiye

Current FIFA World Ranking: 25
FIFA Trigram: TUR

Language: Turkish

Championship Honors: None

USMNT Record vs. Türkiye: 2-2-1 (7 GF, 7 GA)

World Cup Finals Appearances: 2 – 1954, 2002

World Cup Record: 5-4-1 (20 GF, 17 GA)

Best World Cup Finish: Third Place, 2002

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Finished 2nd in UEFA Group E (4-1-1; 4 GF, 12 GA); Will compete in European Playoff C vs. Romania with the winner to play the winner of Slovakia vs. Kosovo

Date Qualified: TBD; UEFA Playoff C

Leading World Cup Qualifying Scorer: Kenan Yildiz (3)

Head Coach: Vicenzo Montella (Italy)

Key Players: Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan/ITA), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus/ITA), Arda Guler (Real Madrid/ESP), Orkun Kokcu (Besiktas/TUR), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER)

Fast Facts: With two games left to play in European Playoff C, Türkiye hopes to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2002 … Last meeting between the U.S. and Türkiye was an international friendly on June 7, 2025, in East Hartford, Conn. … Türkiye won 2-1 … Türkiye was led in qualifying by forward Kenan Yildiz, who scored three goals … Yildiz is the club teammate of U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie at Italian club Juventus … Türkiye’s best finish came in the 2002 World Cup, losing to Brazil in the semifinals before defeating hosts Korea Republic in the third-place match … Türkiye are led by head coach Vicenzo Montella, who guided the country to qualification for the 2024 UEFA European Championship … Hakan Şükür is Türkiye’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals … Şükür is known for scoring the fastest goal in World Cup history, scoring in just 11 seconds against South Korea in 2002.

Country: Romania

Current FIFA World Ranking: 47
FIFA Trigram: ROU

Language: Romanian

Championship Honors: None

USMNT Record vs. Romania: 1-2-1 (4 GF, 4 GA)

World Cup Finals Appearances: 7 – 1930, 1934, 1938, 1970, 1990, 1994, 1998

World Cup Record: 8-8-5 (30 GF, 32 GA)

Best World Cup Finish: Quarterfinals, 1994

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Finished 2nd in UEFA Group H (4-3-1; 19 GF, 10 GA); To compete in European Playoff C vs. Türkiye with the winner to play the winner of Slovakia vs. Kosovo

Date Qualified: TBD; UEFA Playoff C

Leading World Cup Qualifying Scorer: Dennis Man, Ianis Hagi (2)

Head Coach: Mircea Lucescu (Romania)

Key Players: Ianis Hagi (Alanyaspor/TUR), Dennis Man (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Andrei Ratiu (Rayo Vallecano/ESP), Ionut Radu (Celta Vigo/ESP), Marius Marin (Pisa/ITA), Darius Olaru (FCSB/ROU)

Fast Facts: With two games left to play in European Playoff C, Romania hopes to return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 … Last meeting between the U.S. and Romania was in the Group Stage of the 1994 World Cup on June 26, 1994, in Pasadena, Calif. … Romania won 1-0 … Romania’s highest FIFA ranking came in 1997 when they reached third … Romania’s best finish at the World Cup came in 1994 when they reached the quarterfinals … Romania are led by head coach Mircea Lucescu, who is in his second spell with the national team at 80 years old … Gheorghe Hagi and Adrian Mutu are Romania’s joint all-time top scorers with 35 goals each … Forward Dennis Man is currently teammates with U.S. forward Ricardo Pepi at Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.

DRAMATIC COMEBACKS BY MINNESOTA UNITED FC, AUSTIN FC KICK OFF U.S. OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS

Gerard Robbins — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:34:25 +0000

Minnesota Downs Chicago Fire FC in Added Extra Time to Earn Club’s Second Semifinal Berth;

Los Verdes Overcome Pair of Deficits to Triumph in Penalties at San Jose Earthquakes;

Wednesday’s East Bracket Doubleheader on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network & CBS Sports Golazo Network to Set Semifinal Field

ATLANTA (July 8, 2025) – Regulation time was not enough to decide either of Tuesday’s pair of 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal matches, which saw Minnesota United FC outlast Chicago Fire FC in added extra time before Austin FC pushed past the San Jose Earthquakes in penalties. With tonight’s results the Western half of the tournament’s Semifinal Round bracket has been set, with Minnesota set to host Austin in mid-September.

The evening began in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where United FC were finally able to take advantage of a Chicago red card in the 25th minute to post a 3-1 win after 120 minutes. The Loons’ Finnish talisman Robin Lod equalized early in the second half to counter Philip Zinckernagel’s first half spot kick, and Kelvin Yeboah did the heavy lifting with a goal in each added time period to seal the deal for Minnesota.

Out in the Bay Area, Austin FC twice came back from deficits, including in the 115th minute via Myrto Uzuni’s conversion from the spot, to level the Earthquakes at 2-2 following added extra time. After Owen Wolff was fouled to set up that penalty, the son of USMNT legend Josh Wolff finished off his own spot kick to secure Austin’s 4-2 passage from PKs.

#USOC2025 Results & Full Schedule

The Quarterfinals round out with another doubleheader on Wednesday which, like every match onward to the tournament Final, will stream live on Paramount+. CBS Sports Golazo Matchnight will start the evening’s studio coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network, both of which will also air the opener between Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls. The nightcap pitting Nashville SC against D.C. United can be seen on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network, the latter of which fans can watch studio and match coverage on for free.

The four surviving sides will advance to the Semifinal Round, set to take place September 16-17. It has been determined by draw that the competition’s Final on October 1 will be hosted by the representative from the West bracket – meaning Minnesota or Austin will be on call to roll out the red carpet for the ultimate match in the 110th edition of U.S. Soccer’s Club Championship.

2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Results/Schedule – Quarterfinals

Matchday #1 – Tuesday, July 8

Minnesota United FC 1-1, 3-1 (aet) Chicago Fire FC

Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn.

San Jose Earthquakes 1-1, 2-2 (aet), 2-4 (PKs) Austin FC

PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.

Matchday #2 – Wednesday, July 9 (all times ET)

CBS Sports Golazo Matchnight

6:30 p.m. ET | Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network

Philadelphia Union (MLS) vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

7:00 p.m. ET | Subaru Park in Chester, Pa. | Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network

CBS Sports Golazo Matchnight (NSH-DC pre-game)

8:30 p.m. ET | Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network

Nashville SC (MLS) vs. D.C. United (MLS)

9:00 p.m. ET | GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn. | Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network

CBS Sports Golazo Matchnight (PHI-NYRB post-game)

9:00 p.m. ET | Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network

CBS Sports Golazo Matchnight (NSH-DC post-game)

11:00 p.m. ET | Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network

2025 U.S. Open Cup Recaps – Quarterfinal Round

Matchday #1 – Tuesday, July 8

Minnesota United FC (MLS) 1-1, 3-1 (aet) Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
Click here for box score

Minnesota United FC kept their hopes for a first U.S. Open Cup crown alive at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn., albeit by a deceptive 3-1 (aet) scoreline in a game that Chicago Fire FC played 95 of 120 minutes down a man. The win means Minnesota will play for the chance to equal their run to the 2019 Final – and United FC will get to do so at home courtesy of their position atop the West bracket’s hosting priority order.

An airtight start finally burst open at the midway point of the opening stanza, when a rare mistake by Omar Gonzalez put the visitors down a man in the 25th minute. The Fire center-back caught Julian Gressel with an elbow flush in the face while jostling for corner-kick position inside the six, resulting in a VAR check by referee Ekaterina Koroleva for violent conduct. Her confirmation resulted in the first straight red card shown to the veteran former USMNT defender in his 539th combined game for club and country, and just the second ejection in Gonzalez’s 15-year professional career.

When Philip Zinckernagel finally took the corner kick he lined up for minutes earlier, he retrieved the second ball and caught Wil Trapp’s follow through just inside the area, giving the shorthanded men in red an immediate lifeline. Berwyn’s own Brian Gutierrez took advantage, slotting low and left past Dayne St. Clair in the United net to put Chicago up against the flow.

The Loons had a hard time breaking Chicago’s lines through the end of the half, Jefferson Diaz’s header five minutes into stoppage finally forcing Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady into his first save of the night.

Robin Lod and Anthony Markanich were two of the three substitutes who entered for Minnesota at the interval, and they needed less than two minutes to make their sideline boss Eric Ramsay look like a genius. Tani Oluwaseyi’s decisive diagonal set up the play, freeing Markanich into the left side of the area for a far post service that Lod easily turned in to even the score at 1-1.

Joseph Rosales’ stinger from 22 yards off a drawn-up dead-ball movement nearly pushed United in front in the 52nd minute, and some more set piece savvy by Carlos Harvey to sneak inside the area nearly did the same in the 66th. From there Brady stood and delivered for the Fire, making four saves across the final 20 minutes of regulation. His big left paw thwarted another Lod attempt from close range in the 75th, and his full extension denial of Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s rocket from 23 yards came as the final of three minutes of stoppage time expired.

It took another three-man combination for the Loons to ultimately unlock Chicago for the go-ahead goal five minutes into the first extra frame. Joaquin Pereyra’s chipped ball towards the six was nodded square by Harvey and into the path of Kelvin Yeboah, who kept his volley from nine yards low and out of Brady’s reach. Yeboah nearly struck again in the 102th minute, only to see his shot hot the crossbar and keep the visitors within reach.

The last 15 minutes started with a desperate Chicago side taking charge, but Belgian star Hugo Cuypers sailed a half chance high with 10 minutes remaining and St. Clair gobbled up Jonathan Bomba’s one-hopper shortly after. The Canadian international netminder saved his best for Sergio Oregel’s sizzler from 20 yards in the 113th minute, his top save keeping a lead that eventually got some padding with a Yeboah finish from the spot in the 120th minute.
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 1-1, 2-2 (aet), 2-4 (PKs) Austin FC (MLS)

Click here for box score

Austin FC beat the San Jose Earthquakes in a thrilling 1-1, 2-2 (aet), 4-2 (PKs) in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. Austin advances to its first-ever Semifinal.

Goalkeeper Brad Stuver saved two of the first three shots in the shootout, and AFC midfielder Owen Wolff netted the final penalty to secure the knockout victory.

Early in the match, the Earthquakes got on the board quickly as forward Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango scored in the 12th minute. After the Quakes created a buildup in midfield, defender DeJuan Jones sent a leading pass on the left side to midfielder Ousseni Bouda. Arango slammed a right-footed shot, crushing the ball to the high near post far above Stuver’s reach.

In his first Open Cup start, Arango tallied his first goal in the tournament, bringing his total in all competitions in 2025 to ten. That total is tied for fourth across MLS. He was signed as a designated player in the offseason from Real Salt Lake, where he made his Open Cup debut in 2024.

Coming out of halftime, Los Verdes came out more assertive on the offensive end.

Austin FC equalized in the 65th minute via a Brandon Vázquez penalty kick. The forward drew the shot from the spot after Quakes defender Max Floriani fouled Vázquez in the box. Vazquez, with a strong running start, targeted the right side of the goal. Austin FC ‘keeper Daniel De Sousa Britto chose to go left, and the ball found the bottom right corner of the net.

Vázquez was Austin FC’s Open Cup hero previously this year. He scored a second-half brace against El Paso Locomotive, including the game-winning goal, in a 3-2 comeback victory. The 26-year-old forward – who was a member of Atlanta United’s 2019 Open Cup-winning side – has scored in every Open Cup game this season, but suffered what looked to be a serious knee injury in the minutes after he scored from the spot.

The final minutes of regulation ended dramatically. Quakes midfielder Cristian Espinoza took a hard foul, which resulted in a yellow card and a large laceration on his knee. The ordeal pushed the clock far past the eight minutes of allotted stoppage time. The Earthquakes got in one last attack, but Brad Stuver made two key saves in goal.

San Jose continued that pressure in extra time and found the go-ahead goal in the 99th minute. Forward Benjamin Kikanović, who subbed on for the injured Espinoza, scored off a rebound. Forward Josef Martínez had his on-target shot saved by Stuver, but San Jose regained the ball three more times, but Austin defenders blocked every attempt. It bounced toward Kikanović, who gained control with his right foot before smashing a shot into the far post.

That wouldn’t be the end of Austin FC, however. Again, they got back into the match with a penalty shot. Off a corner kick, Wolff drew the foul in the box from Quakes midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye. Myrto Uzuni took the shot for Los Verdes. Uzuni stutter-stepped his way past San Jose’s goalkeeper.

Austin kept the Quakes, who reached the Semis last in 2017, from advancing again. Meanwhile, Los Verdes notch their first go at the Semis. The franchise joined the league in the 2022-23 season as an expansion team, and has played in the United States’ oldest soccer tournament each year since.

The Earthquakes will face Minnesota United FC on the road in the next round. MUFC won its Quarterfinal in dramatic fashion in a 3-1 extra-time victory against a 10-man Chicago Fire squad.

About the U.S. Soccer Federation

Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official governing body of the sport in the United States. Our vision is clear; we exist in service to soccer. Our ambition, working across the soccer ecosystem, is to ignite a national passion for the game. We believe soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. We are focused in three areas: Soccer Everywhere, ensuring everyone, everywhere experiences the joy of soccer; Soccer Success, our 27 National Teams and pro leagues winning on the world stage; and Soccer Investment, maximizing and diversifying investments to sustainably grow the game at all levels. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.

About the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Now in its 110th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national champion since 1914. The history-filled tournament is conducted on a single-game-knockout basis and is open to professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. In 1999, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt. The 2025 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy – one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports – now on permanent display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. The 2025 tournament features a total purse worth $1 million that includes a $600,000 award for the champion. Los Angeles Football Club of MLS is the defending Champion. The 109th edition of the tournament concluded on September 25, 2024, with LAFC beating four-time Champions Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles to become Open Cup Champions for the first time.
The official website of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is ussoccer.com/us-open-cup. Fans can also follow the competition on X/Twitter and Instagram @OpenCup and Facebook @OfficialOpenCup.