The U.S. Open Cup has hit the quarterfinal stage, with the final eight comprised of one clear favorite, two big underdogs from the USL Championship, and five MLS sides who are looking at the tournament as their best path to a trophy in 2023.
Supporters’ Shield favorites FC Cincinnati will play host to one of the underdogs, as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds looking to make it three straight upsets over top-flight opposition.
The other USL Championship side in the mix is Birmingham Legion FC, who have much better upset hopes as they host Inter Miami. That’s the same Inter Miami that just fired Phil Neville and then lost over the weekend thanks to one of the strangest goals MLS will see this year.
The other two matches feature MLS teams that are leaning heavily on the Open Cup to give their season some life. On Tuesday, the Chicago Fire will host the Houston Dynamo with both teams sitting outside the playoff picture in MLS. One day later, Real Salt Lake (one point ahead of Houston, and thus just barely holding a playoff spot in the West) will for the second time in six days face the desperate LA Galaxy.
Here are all of the quarterfinal match-ups (home teams listed first, winners listed in bold as the tournament unfolds):
Tuesday, June 6
- FC Cincinnati 3-1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
- Chicago Fire 1-4 Houston Dynamo
Wednesday, June 7
- Birmingham Legion FC 0-1 Inter Miami
- Real Salt Lake 3-2 LA Galaxy
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