On Tuesday, the United States Soccer Federation announced that Ocean City Nor’easters are among 103 teams that will play in the upcoming 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It’s the 107th edition of this tournament. The Atlanta United FC (MLS) are the defending champions.
The Nor’easters (9-2-3) are among ten USL League Two teams that will compete in this historic tournament featuring the best teams across North America from the MLS, MLS Next Pro, NPSL, USL League Two, USL League One, and USL Championship. The tournament will take place on March 22-23. The Nor’easters will find out their opponents next week.
The other teams from USL League Two that also qualified for the tournament are Chicago FC United, Des Moines Menace, NC Fusion U23, Park City Red Wolves SC, Portland Timbers U23, South Carolina United FC, The Villages SC, West Chester United SC, and Western Mass Pioneers.
On qualifying for the tournament, Ocean City Nor’easters Sporting Director Tim Oswald said, “We are excited to be included in this year’s US Open Cup and will immediately begin building a roster and preparing a competitive squad.”
This will be the Nor’easters tenth appearance. The last time the Nor’easters were in the Open Cup was in 2018 when they made it to the Third Round of the tournament before losing to North Carolina FC.
Ocean City has eleven wins in the Open Cup and five major upsets, including the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) in 2013, Charlotte Independence (2018), and Long Island Rough Riders (USL2). In 2013, the Nor’easter nearly defeated the Philadelphia Union (MLS) in Round three. The Union are in the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, entering the Round of 32.
The Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup has crowned a champion since 1914 except in 2020 and 2021. The Open Cup tournament is conducted on a single-game, knockout basis and is open to all professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.
