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Cup Chaos: Three Underdogs Shock in U.S. Open Cup Third Round

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The 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup delivered high drama and underdog triumphs on its Third Round opening night, with three Division III teams pulling off stunning victories under the national spotlight.

âšœ Union Omaha Continues Giant-Killing Tradition

One of the biggest surprises came in Omaha, Nebraska, where Union Omaha knocked out USL Championship side San Antonio FC with a 1-0 win. Defender Dion Acoff scored the decisive goal in the 36th minute, and goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu secured the clean sheet during a tense second half filled with pressure and late corners from San Antonio.

Union Omaha, a USL League One club, now boasts a 9W-3L-2D record in Open Cup play, including multiple runs past the Third Round in recent years. With each upset, the Owls further cement their status as tournament dark horses.

đŸ§€ AV ALTA FC’s Debut Turned Drama

Another highlight came from Lancaster, California, where AV ALTA FC, in its first-ever Open Cup campaign, battled to a 2-2 draw with Orange County SC and won 4-2 on penalties.

The hero of the night? Denzil Smith, the Trinidad & Tobago international goalkeeper, who entered the game moments before the shootout and made a crucial save to help send the Antelope Valley squad into the Round of 32. Captain Miguel Pajaro, bandaged after a first-half head injury, slammed home the match-winner.

🌙 De Rosario Magic in Tacoma

At Starfire Sports Complex, the spiritual home of #OpenCupAfterDark, Tacoma Defiance edged Oakland Roots SC 2-1 in extra time. Osaze De Rosario, son of MLS legend Dwayne De Rosario, scored the winning goal in the 108th minute with a deflected shot that sealed another epic upset.

📝 Round Highlights: Favorites Tested

While underdogs stole the show, several USL Championship clubs advanced with narrow wins:

  • Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC edged Columbus Crew 2 1-0
  • Rhode Island FC survived a 2-1 scare against Portland Hearts of Pine
  • Louisville City FC beat Loudoun United 2-1
  • North Carolina FC won the “Dogwood Derby” 3-1 over Charlotte Independence
  • Charleston Battery rolled 4-0 past South Georgia Tormenta FC, with MD Myers netting a hat trick

đŸ“ș What’s Next: More Games & Live Draw

The Third Round wraps up Wednesday, April 16 with eight more matches, all streaming on Paramount+, with select games also airing on CBS Sports Golazo Network and CBS Sports Network.

A special Round of 32/16 Draw will take place Thursday, April 17 during CBS Sports Golazo’s Morning Footy at 9:15 a.m. ET, featuring clubs from all divisions, including MLS entrants.

🏆 What’s at Stake in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup?

The oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. is celebrating its 110th edition. This year’s winner earns $600,000, a place in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, and their name engraved on the historic Dewar Challenge Trophy, on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas.

Defending champions LAFC lifted the trophy for the first time in 2024. Who will rise this year? With results like these, anything’s possible.

⚜ Follow all U.S. Open Cup 2025 coverage—including match reports, live streams, and analysis—right here at FutbolMundial.com.

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