The First Round of the 2025 U.S. Open Cup is here, and USL League One will field a record 14 clubs in its fifth participation in the historic tournament. As the First Round rolls on, we're breaking down the best of the tournament's opening week from the perspective of each League One team.

Tuesday, March 18

Future League One rivalry makes dramatic introduction

Sarasota Paradise 1 - 2 FC Naples

In its first-ever road match, FC Naples made the short trip up I-75 to face off against current USL League Two and future USL League One side Sarasota Paradise. In the inaugural 'Battle for Paradise,' Naples overcame a last-minute Sarasota equalizer through Kevin O'Connor's stoppage-time winner, much to the dismay of the club-record 2,248 Paradise fans at Premier Sports Campus.

AV shows off new digs in first-ever victory

AV ALTA FC 3 - 1 Ventura County Fusion

Even more impressive than AV ALTA FC's inaugural victory over former USL League Two champs Ventura County Fusion (and Jerry Desdunes bagging a brace against his former club) was the debut of the newly renovated Lancaster Municipal Stadium. The former baseball stadium underwent extensive renovations to transform into an impressive 5,300-seat soccer-specific stadium that should be rocking in Antelope Valley's League One home opener on April 5.

Obregón, Jr.'s penalty powers Westchester to inaugural win

FC Motown 0 - 1 Westchester SC

The 2024 USL League One Golden Boot runner-up, Juan Carlos Obregón, Jr., helped Westchester to its first-ever victory with a score from the spot with 10 minutes remaining against 2022 NPSL champion FC Motown. Bagging the sixth score across his last eight competitive matches, Obregón, Jr.'s goalscoring capabilities will be a key factor in WSC's early season success.

Greenville escape Asheville with penalty kick shootout victory

Asheville City SC 0 - 0 (3 - 4) Greenville Triumph SC

Triumph SC advanced beyond the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup for the fifth time in as many tries, but recent USL League Two power Asheville City SC didn't make it easy. Asheville held Greenville scoreless in a match for the first time since last October before advancing to a penalty kick shootout. Goalkeeper Seth Torman stood tall in his Triumph SC debut, though, delivering Greenville its second penalty kick shootout victory in club history.

Shorthanded Red Wolves will their way to Second Round

New Jersey Alliance FC 2 - 2 (2 - 4) Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

A depleted pack of Red Wolves found a way to advance to the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup, eliminating UPSL side New Jersey Alliance FC on penalties after a Matt Bentley brace and a five-save performance from legendary Guatemalan goalkeeper Ricardo Jérez (in just his second start for Chattanooga since July 2023). The Red Wolves overcame an early red card and even relied on an outfield performance from backup goalkeeper Jason Smith which featured a coolly converted penalty.

TExoma set foundation for first season

Texoma FC 1 - 2 FORO SC (a.e.t.)

Newcomers Texoma FC suffered a tough stoppage-time loss against UPSL's FORO SC in the former's first-ever match. While the veteran presence of Solomon Asante, Jorge Corrales, Lamin Jawneh and other should provide a boost this season, Texoma's batch of youngsters - namely Mason McCready, Brandon McManus, Ajmeer Spengler and Reid Valentine - stood out on Tuesday night.

Wednesday, March 19

Spokane shock Ballard in stoppage time... again

Ballard FC 0 - 1 Spokane Velocity FC (a.e.t.)

Spokane Velocity FC has knocked in-state foe Ballard FC out of the U.S. Open Cup in back-to-back seasons, scoring winning goals in stoppage time on both occasions. Like Andre Lewis' banger in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time in Seattle a season ago, Anuar Peláez broke hearts in Ballard with a clutch winner in stoppage time of extra time to send Spokane to the Second Round.

Youngsters help Knoxville to largest shutout victory since 2022

Appalachian FC 0 - 3 One Knoxville SC

Knoxville traversed the Appalachian Mountains to face NPSL side Appalachian FC, shutting out the Squatches for its second U.S. Open Cup victory in club history. One Knox relied on a youthful roster to outlast the hosts; 18-year-old USL Academy signing and Knoxville native Leo Santos scored his first professional goal in match-winning fashion to become the youngest goalscorer in Knoxville's professional history, and former 22-year-old former Jamaica youth international Scott McLeod bagged his first pro goal in his pro debut.

31 Years of Kickers soccer at City Stadium

Richmond Kickers 1 - 3 Virginia Dream FC

In their 62nd U.S. Open Cup match, the former champion Richmond Kickers were ushered out of the tournament in the First Round for the first time since 2009, falling to Virginia Dream FC. Not a ton of positives for the Kickers in their home opener (aside from a cracker of a goal from James Vaughan), but seeing City Stadium packed for a midweek cup match is a great reminder that one of the league's most daunting atmospheres should again play a big role in Richmond's home-field advantage this season.

Thursday, March 20

Hearts start hot with huge debut win in Lewiston

Portland Hearts of Pine 4 - 0 CD Faialense

Professional soccer has finally made its Maine debut. The last of the 14 League One clubs to kick off this season, Portland Hearts of Pine showed off in front of a sold-out crowd in Lewiston, Maine, dismantling Boston-based CD Faialense by four goals to record the largest victory by a League One club in its competitive debut. Walter Varela became the first goalscorer in Hearts history on his birthday, Azaad Liadi bagged a brace and Nathan Messer capped things off with a perfect set-piece score in what was a historic night in Maine.

Breese Stevens Field Blowout in 'Mingos' first win of season

Forward Madison FC 5 - 1 Duluth FC

Forward Madison FC picked up its first win of the season in emphatic fashion, setting a club record for goals scored in a single game and matching a club record for margin of victory. Madison defeated NPSL side Duluth for the second consecutive season, this time relying on a staggering second-half surge which featured four goals scored in the final 17 minutes of action. The victory was punctuated by Juan Galindrez's first Madison brace and the second three-assist match of Devin Boyce's professional career.

Jacks Young, Old help Charlotte ride to victory in New York

Long Island Rough Riders 2 - 3 Charlotte Independence (a.e.t.)

The Charlotte Independence earned their 10th U.S. Open Cup victory in club history and advanced beyond the First Round for the ninth time in as many tries, outdueling USL League Two's Long Island Rough Riders in extra time. The back-and-forth affair was highlighted by 20-year-old Rafael Jauregui's first professional brace and 30-year-old Christian Chaney's first goal in his return to Charlotte.

Newcomers shine in South Georgia shutout

South Georgia Tormenta FC 3 - 0 Harbor City FC

Tormenta FC advanced beyond the First Round for the sixth consecutive time, relying on a trio of goals from first-year Ibises to eliminate UPSL side Harbor City FC. 22-year-old Charlotte Independence Academy product Jonathan Nyandjo scored the winner in the 23rd minute before subbing off for 23-year-old Barbados international Niall Reid-Stephen who tallied a five-minute brace late in the second half to wrap things up. With his brace, Reid-Stephen has accounted for 12 goals in his last 11 matches for club and country.

Friday, March 21

Owls earn first win of season in Colorado

Flatirons FC 1 - 2 Union Omaha

After a blizzard delayed their departure from Omaha by a day, the Owls made it to Colorado and came away with a victory against USL League Two's Flatirons FC. The win - secured via goals from Aarón Gómez and Joe Gallardo - was Omaha's ninth in U.S. Open Cup play and fourth against USL League Two opponents. The Owls now advance beyond the First Round for the fourth time in as many tries.