Charlotte FC is set to face D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., marking the first meeting between these teams in this tournament. The match will take place on Tuesday, May 21, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on Paramount+.
A win would secure Charlotte FC a spot in their first-ever U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals, an important milestone for the club. Currently, Charlotte holds a 3-2-1 record against D.C. United and remains unbeaten in their last three encounters.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an annual knockout competition open to both amateur and professional clubs that meet specific eligibility criteria. The tournament’s history dates back to its inaugural champion crowned in 1914.
In this year’s tournament, Charlotte FC was placed in the ‘Clint Dempsey Group’ alongside D.C. United, Charleston Battery, and NCFC. Both Charlotte FC and D.C. United advanced from the Round of 32 after defeating USL Championship teams NCFC and Charleston Battery respectively.
Charlotte FC’s journey through the cup has been seen as a potential turning point for their season following recent struggles in league play despite being top of the Eastern Conference standings just a month ago.
The team aims to leverage this opportunity not only as a path to silverware but also as a chance to reset their season trajectory after recent setbacks.
“We’ve got to be consistent in what we do; the only way we get out of a poor run is go back to basics… Whether it’s U.S. Open Cup, MLS, or Leagues Cup play, you treat it as if it’s the next game,” said Dean Smith during his press conference.
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