US Open Cup Fourth Round Preview

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is back with fourth round action! Will the entrance of the MLS clubs make this round the end of the line for the six remaining USL clubs? Only time will tell. Most are at the disadvantage of having to be the away team; only Rochester drew the luxury of a home match. Many of the 16 matches being played over Tuesday and Wednesday will be streamed via the US Soccer YouTube channel.

Fourth Round

Colorado Rapids (MLS) v Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL)

June 14, 9:00pm ET

Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, CO

These two sides met last year in the fourth round, which saw the Rapids advance after a 4-1 win. Colorado Springs - who have been riding a six match unbeaten streak in league play - will be looking to reverse that result as they as they take on the current table leader of the MLS Western Conference. "All the players on our roster are capable of starting at any time so whoever is on the field we have confidence that they will put on a strong showing," Switchbacks Head Coach Steve Trittschuh stated. ""We prepare the same way for each game. We take it game by game and the players that will be starting are ready for the Rapids game." Colorado Springs will be on short rest with the Open Cup being the club's second match in the span of four days.

Real Salt Lake (MLS) v Wilmington Hammerheads (USL)

June 14, 10:00pm ET

Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium - Sandy, UT

Wilmington Hammerheads face an MLS side in the Open Cup for the first time since 2013, when they were dealt a 5-1 loss by the Portland Timbers. Real Salt Lake -- who were the runner-ups from that same 2013 tournament -- made it only as far as the semifinals in last year's tournament, falling to eventual champions Sporting Kansas City.

Portland Timbers (MLS) v San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

June 14, 10:30pm ET

Venue: Providence Park - Portland, OR

Jacksonville Armada FC (NASL) v Orlando City SC (MLS)

June 15, 7:00pm ET

Venue: Southern Oak Stadium - Jacksonville, FL

Columbus Crew SC (MLS) v Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL)

June 15, 7:00pm ET

Venue: Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium - Columbus, OH

Philadelphia Union (MLS) v Harrisburg City Islanders (USL)

June 15, 7:00pm ET

Venue: Talen Energy Stadium - Chester, PA

Harrisburg have their work cut out for them as they take on their former MLS affiliate. Philadelphia has made it to the last two Open Cup finals, earning runner-up each time. This is also a rematch from 2014's fourth round, a match which saw the Union advance after a 3-1 win.

Rochester Rhinos (USL) v New York Red Bulls (MLS)

June 15, 7:05pm ET

Venue: Sahlen's Stadium - Rochester Rhinos

The Rhinos have a history of Open Cup success, being one of the two current USL clubs that have won the tournament. Rochester has faced an MLS side in 15 straight editions of the tournament - including a 2005 match when the Rhinos defeated the Metrostars New York Red Bulls, 3-1.

Carolina Railhawks (NASL) v New England Revolution (MLS)

June 15, 7:30pm ET

Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park - Cary, NC

New York City FC (MLS) v New York Cosmos (NASL)

June 15, 7:30pm ET

Venue: Fordham University - The Bronx, NY

DC United (MLS) v Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)

June 15, 7:30pm ET

Venue: Maryland Soccerplex - Boyds, Maryland

Minnesota United FC (NASL) v Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

June 15, 8:00pm ET

Venue: National Sports Center - Blaine, MN

Houston Dynamo (MLS) v San Antonio FC (USL)

June 15, 8:30pm ET

Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium - Houston, TX

Still undefeated in the club's Open Cup history, San Antonio FC will be looking to pull off an upset over in-state opponent, Houston Dynamo - who are currently last in the MLS Western Conference. SAFC will be looking for a positive result to lift their spirits, having not won a league match in over a month.

FC Dallas (MLS) v OKC Energy FC (USL)

June 15, 8:30pm ET

Venue: Westcott Field - Dallas, TX

After defeating crosstown rival Rayo OKC in the last round of the Open Cup, the Energy head south to face FC Dallas in another MLS-USL rematch. Last year, FC Dallas moved through to the fifth round after a 4-1 victory. The Texan side is riding high in MLS play, sitting in second place of the Western Conference.

Chicago Fire (MLS) v Indy Eleven (NASL)

June 15, 8:30pm ET

Venue: Toyota Park - Bridgeview, IL

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) v Kitsap Pumas (PDL)

June 15, 10:30pm ET

Venue: Starfire Sports Complex - Tukwila, WA

LA Galaxy (MLS) v La Maquina FC (USASA)

June 15, 10:30pm ET

Venue: StubHub Center - Carson, CA

Notable

The fourth round features three rematches from last season, each of which saw the USL club on the losing end. Will the results be flipped the second time around?

Two amateur sides remain in the tournament: Kitsap Pumas, who will face the Seattle Sounders after defeating Sacramento Republic in the third round, and La Maquina FC, who travel to face the LA Galaxy after defeating L.A. Wolves FC in the third round.

How many USL clubs do you think will advance? Which MLS team should be on the lookout for an upset? What matches are you watching? Let us know in the comments below!