American soccer’s second tier is seeking a return to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals after a year away, and pins its hopes on two NASL sides.
The Open Cup has not had a non-MLS semifinalist since the third tier Richmond Kickers made it into the final four in 2011.
Major League Soccer clubs joined the tournament in the fifth round and promptly defeated all underdogs not named New York Cosmos and Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
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Those two North American Soccer League sides hope to be left standing in the quarters come Wednesday. The remaining six matches are MLS vs. MLS affairs, with the tournament winner moving onto the 2017-18 CONCACAF Champions League.
Tuesday matches
Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew -- 8:30 p.m. ET
Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders -- 10 p.m. ET
Wednesday matches
Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls -- 7 p.m. ET
Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting KC -- 7 p.m. ET
Orlando City vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers -- 7:30 p.m. ET
New York Cosmos vs. New England Revolution -- 7:30 p.m. ET
FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids -- 8:30 p.m. ET
Portland Timbers vs. L.A. Galaxy -- 10:30 p.m. ET