The 2025 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup continued with a dramatic and revealing Round of 32, highlighted by Major League Soccer’s dominance and a single, unforgettable upset courtesy of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
The evening kicked off with drama as Pittsburgh Riverhounds, representing the USL Championship, stunned New York City FC with a stoppage-time header from Roberto Ydrach, sealing a 1-0 win. The Riverhounds now stand as the only non-MLS team remaining in the tournament and will face Philadelphia Union in the Round of 16.
Despite that early shock, MLS clubs swept the rest of the fixtures on Wednesday, May 7, winning 10 straight matches. For the first time in the tournament’s history, 15 MLS teams have advanced to the Round of 16, asserting the league’s depth and growing competitive edge.
In Chester, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Union narrowly escaped a spirited challenge from Indy Eleven (USLC). A 1-1 draw led to penalties, where 19-year-old Andrew Rick delivered the decisive save in a 5-4 shootout victory. Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo endured a full 120-minute battle before scoring three times in extra time to defeat Phoenix Rising FC 4-1.
Other dominant MLS wins included a 4-0 rout by Chicago Fire FC over Detroit City FC, a 5-0 thrashing by Orlando City SC against Tampa Bay Rowdies, and New England Revolution’s 2-1 road win over newly founded Rhode Island FC.
Austin FC delivered one of the most thrilling comebacks of the night. Trailing El Paso Locomotive FC 2-0 into the 70th minute, Brandon Vázquez and company responded with three goals in seven minutes to win 3-2 and set up a Texas showdown with Houston in the next round.
FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, and Minnesota United also advanced, the latter surviving a tight 1-0 result against Louisville City FC. Meanwhile, St. Louis CITY SC needed late goals to break down Union Omaha’s resistance in a 2-0 win.
The Round of 16 matchups, set for May 20–21, will be announced in full on Thursday. Each game continues the single-elimination format, with the tournament winner earning a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
As the U.S. Open Cup 2025 narrows to its final contenders, Pittsburgh remains the lone lower-division hope, while MLS squads continue their collective charge toward silverware and history.
