A week ago, all the teams in the USL Championship – and some in USL League One – were the targets in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Most earned safe passage through, with 20 USL Championship clubs advancing to the Third Round and five USL League One clubs joining them.

With the draw now complete – and numerous Championship and League One clubs getting the chance to square off with the first 18 Major League Soccer entries in this year’s tournament – the storylines are out there.

Here’s a ranking of all 22 games involving a USL Championship or League One club by order of intrigue to start getting you ready for what’s to come at the end of the month.

22. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Maryland Bobcats FC

Apologies to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC fans, but we’ve seen this show before. The Hounds took a 2-0 victory last season at home to Maryland Bobcats FC in the Second Round, and while they’ll be aiming for a similar outcome this year, there’s not that much to get excited about here.

21. Loudoun United FC vs. Flower City Union 

There’s still a novelty factor to Loudoun United FC being in the Open Cup. Earning victory against League One’s North Carolina FC after extra time added something extra to the club’s debut. The hosts will want to avoid a potential trap against Flower City and midfielder Stephen Elias, who scored twice in the side’s win against USL League Two side Manhattan SC in the Second Round.

20. Birmingham Legion FC vs. Chattanooga FC

On paper this looks like a good draw for Birmingham Legion FC, a team we pegged as one with the potential to make a run. At home against a non-MLS opponent, the Three Sparks will enter expected to advance. This is going to be a trickier proposition than it looks, though, and Head Coach Tom Soehn’s squad is going to need to be on its game against a solid CFC outfit.

19. New Mexico United vs. Phoenix Rising FC

Look, there’s not much we enjoy more than games between New Mexico United and Phoenix Rising FC. The fact this is being played at Isotopes Park – which could be packed – is a big plus in the game’s favor. But it’s also the third consecutive Open Cup in which we’ve seen this matchup. We’ll probably get more excited for this one the closer it gets.

18. Portland Timbers FC vs. Orange County SC

It’s been more than a decade since the last time Portland Timbers FC was knocked out of the Open Cup by a lower division club, the famous Cal FC victory in 2012 that saw a side that included current USL Championship legend Danny Barrera win in Portland. Orange County, meanwhile, is looking for its first win against a top-flight club in the Open Cup all-time here.

17. Sacramento Republic FC vs. Oakland Roots SC

Sacramento Republic FC hosting Oakland Roots SC has a similar challenge to the contest between New Mexico and Phoenix, but at least in this instance it’s the first time we’ll see these teams square off in the Open Cup. That should add some edge to a rivalry that has been hard-fought at every turn.

16. Charlotte FC vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC

The defending League One title holders South Georgia Tormenta FC got to the Round of 32 last season by defeating a pair of USL Championship clubs in the Charleston Battery and Birmingham Legion FC. This time they’ll need to get through Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC to reach the same stage, and with things not having gone entirely smoothly so far for CFC – one win in seven to start the MLS season – the door might be open for Kazaiah Sterling and co.

15. Columbus Crew SC vs. Indy Eleven

Indy Eleven took Columbus Crew SC to extra time when the teams met nine years ago in the Open Cup during the inaugural season for the Boys in Blue. After Indy’s struggles in recent years in the tournament’s early stages, they now get a rematch in just the third official contest for the club against top-flight opposition.

14. Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Real Salt Lake

This is going to be a historic night for Las Vegas Lights FC. For the first time the club will face a top-flight opponent in the Open Cup, and they’ll get to do it at home at Cashman Field. Real Salt Lake will be the visitors, and you could potentially see Erick “Cubo” Torres and Emmanuel Ledesma leading the way for the hosts. That’s intriguing.

13. Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Houston Dynamo FC

The Tampa Bay Rowdies will host an MLS opponent for the first time in a decade when Houston Dynamo FC comes to Al Lang Stadium. Back in 2013, the Rowdies upset the defending Open Cup champions Seattle Sounders FC. The Dynamo don’t quite have that level of Open Cup street-cred, although they did win the tournament in 2018, but there aren’t many threads between the clubs otherwise.

12. St. Louis CITY SC vs. Union Omaha

Union Omaha was one of the darlings of last year’s Open Cup, becoming the first third-tier club to reach the Quarterfinals since Orlando City SC in 2013, when the Lions were part of the USL. Los Buhos’ visit to St. Louis – a city rich in soccer and Open Cup heritage – should bring a tremendous stage for the visitors to try and spring another surprise.

11. Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Diego Loyal SC

This game has the makings of an intriguing contest. Two top teams in their respective divisions squaring off at one of the Open Cup’s iconic venues in Starfire Stadium. There aren’t many storylines spanning the two clubs at present, which is why this isn’t higher up the list, but it should still be a good watch for those tuning in as well as at the stadium.

10. Charleston Battery vs. Charlotte Independence

The Charleston Battery were the Charlotte Independence’s first opponent in club history in 2015, and while the teams now compete in different divisions – the Battery in the Championship and the Independence in League One – there’s a lot to look forward to here. First, both teams are out to undefeated starts in their respective divisions, and you’ve got current Independence forward Dane Kelly going back to face the club at which he made his name in the United States. This should be good.

9. Detroit City FC vs. Minnesota United FC

Any Open Cup game at Keyworth Stadium is going to give us a reason to tune in. Detroit City FC getting the chance to host Minnesota United FC – which has made a great start to this season, had good travelling support, and fell to Union Omaha in the Open Cup last year, giving us hope for an upset – should deliver a memorable night. After Le Rouge defeated Columbus Crew SC on its home turf last year, they’ll be aiming for another cupset as well.

8. New England Revolution vs. Hartford Athletic

Hartford Athletic hasn’t got the deepest Open Cup history, but this matchup gets high ratings thanks to regional proximity and the two figures on the sidelines. New England Revolution Head Coach Bruce Arena was the last person to coach Hartford Athletic Head Coach Tab Ramos during his illustrious United States Men’s National Team. That dynamic should be a fascinating one, and Hartford’s players will arrive at Foxborough eager to help their boss get one over on another legend of U.S. soccer.

7. D.C. United vs. Richmond Kickers

As one of two professional clubs with a longer history than their MLS counterparts, the Richmond Kickers have a major Open Cup history. Winners of the tournament in 1995, they also have a long history with D.C. United, which has proven both a friendly rival and collaborator over the years. These teams first met in the Open Cup in the Quarterfinals in 2001 at RFK Stadium, with the Kickers earning their first upset three years later. The history is great, but these Kickers will also be upset-minded against Head Coach Wayne Rooney’s United lineup as well.

6. Colorado Rapids vs. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Unofficially, you can say this is for the Colorado state championship. With Hailstorm FC having defeated the USL Championship’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC after extra time in the prior round – and out to an undefeated start in USL League One – the visitors would be the last team from the state standing in the competition with a win at the Rapids. The hosts will be eager to advance, but they’ve been upset by lower division clubs before. Just see New Mexico United’s win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2019.

5. Nashville SC vs. San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC didn’t face Nashville SC during the two seasons they were both part of the Championship, making this the first official meeting between the sides. A perennial playoff contender since its move to Major League Soccer, Nashville has built a reputation as a difficult opponent to visit. That’s also the case for San Antonio, which is undefeated in its last 16 USL Championship games across the regular season and playoffs. Head Coach Alen Marcina’s side will be eager for this opportunity after its upset at home of Austin FC last year.

4. Atlanta United FC vs. Memphis 901 FC

There are going to be more than a few familiar faces making their way back to Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Memphis 901 FC’s roster as it takes on Atlanta United FC. You can start with current Memphis Head Coach Stephen Glass, who served as Head Coach for United and Atlanta United 2 during his tenure at the club. You can add forward Phillip Goodrum and midfielders Laurent Kissiedou and Luiz Fernando, all of whom suited up for the 2s. There’s a notable storyline with former United States goalkeeper Bill Hamid getting the chance to show what he’s got, which means there’s a lot going on here.

3. Monterey Bay F.C. vs. San Jose Earthquakes 

Last year the San Jose Earthquakes inducted Monterey Bay F.C. Head Coach and Sporting Director Frank Yallop into their Hall of Fame. Now Yallop and his squad will hope to knock the Quakes out of the Open Cup as they host MLS opposition in official competition for the first time. San Jose has visited Seaside before – it took a 2-1 win this preseason, although Walmer Martinez scored for the hosts – and the visitors will be eager to avoid another early exit after falling to Sacramento Republic FC last year. MBFC has shown enough attacking spark for its fans to enter this game hopeful of a result.

2. Miami FC vs. Inter Miami CF

Granted, this is a rematch from a season ago, but for Miami FC there’s no game that might matter more than a chance to host Inter Miami CF for a Miami Clasico on its home turf. Head Coach Anthony Pulis’ side fell 1-0 last year as Leonardo Campana scored a late winner for the hosts at Riccardo Silva Stadium, but you know the hosts will put all their efforts into reversing that result and gaining a feather in their cap against its local competition.

1. FC Cincinnati vs. Louisville City FC 

Over three seasons, the River Cities Cup – or more colloquially, the Dirty River Derby – became the biggest rivalry in the USL Championship. Now, four years after they last met in the Open Cup following FC Cincinnati’s move to Major League Soccer, Louisville City FC gets to head back up I-71 to renew the battle. LouCity claimed a 4-3-2 record in the regular season meetings between the clubs, while Cincinnati needed an extra time winner to earn a 2-1 victory in 2019 at Nippert Stadium. This first meeting at TQL Stadium – especially given the potential level of travelling support – should make for a very memorable evening.