TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Soccer announced the nine teams that have directly qualified for 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup based on the results of the 2025 USL League Two regular season. The clubs earned their spot by finishing as the top nine division winners based on points per match. They will begin play in the First Round of the tournament in March 2026. 

All of the nine clubs have participated in the 111-year-old tournament previously; the Des Moines Menace will make its 18th appearance in the competition.

Record: 11-0-1, 34 pts., 2.83 PPM 

Season: 1st in Metropolitan Division 

Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semifinalist 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 

Best Open Cup finish: Third Round (2022) 

FC Motown STA set the standard this season, rattling off wins with ease in the crowded Metropolitan Division. The New Jersey club had a solid defense earning a shutout in six matches and packed a punch on offense, only being held to one goal or less three times.

Record: 11-1-0, 33 pts., 2.75 PPM 

Season: 1st in Lone Star Division 

Playoffs: Southern Conference Quarterfinalist 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019 

Best Open Cup finish: Fourth Round (2014) 

Laredo Heat SC was on fire for most of the 2025 season, earning nine multi-goal victories and keeping four shutouts. The Heat used its depth throughout the lineup to put together such a strong campaign; 15 different players got on the scoresheet and eight of them had multi-goal seasons.

Record: 10-0-2, 32 pts, 2.67 PPM

Season: 1st in South Central Division 

Playoffs: Southern Conference Quarterfinalist 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 2024, 2025 

Best Open Cup finish: First Round (2024, 2025) 

Asheville City SC looked like the team to beat throughout the regular season, not giving up a goal in its first five games. The Blues dominated on both sides of the ball with quality throughout its lineup.

Record: 10-1-1, 31 pts., 2.58 PPM

Season: 1st in Great Plains Division 

Playoffs: Central Conference Quarterfinalist 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 

Best Open Cup finish: Fourth Round (2005) 

One of the most historic clubs in League Two, Des Moines Menace had yet another season to remember to book its 17th Open Cup appearance. Des Moines had a high-octane offense that was only limited to scoring one or less goals twice the whole year.

Record: 11-0-3, 36 pts., 2.57 PPM

Season: 1st in Northeast Division 

Playoffs: USL League Two Champions, Eastern Conference Champions 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 2024 

Best Open Cup finish: Second Round (2024) 

It all fell into place this year for Vermont Green FC as they made a magical run to become the 2025 USL League Two Champions with an undefeated record. The Green played attacking football and were never out of the match no matter what the scoreboard said, claiming four consecutive comeback victories en route to the title.

Record: 10-1-3, 33 pts., 2.36 PPM 

Season: 1st in Chesapeake Division 

Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semifinalist 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 1999, 2000, 2022, 2023, 2024 

Best Open Cup finish: Second Round (2000, 2022) 

Northern Virginia FC rose to the top of an elite Chesapeake Division this year. The club picked up huge wins when needed, taking points from all six matches against the fellow clubs who finished top four in the division.

Record: 9-2-1, 28 pts., 2.33 PPM 

Season: 1st in Southwest Division 

Playoffs: Western Conference Finalist 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2025 

Best Open Cup finish: Third Round (2012) 

The 2022 USL League Two Champions returned to its expected sharp form this season, winning the Southwest Division for the second year in a row. The Fusion was one of the most composed teams this season, winning four one-goal games in the regular season, and not being afraid to work late magic.

Record: 9-3-0, 27 pts., 2.25 PPM 

Season: 1st in Great Lakes Division 

Playoffs: National Semifinalist, Central Conference Champions 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 

Best Open Cup finish: Fourth Round (2012) 

The historic Flint City Bucks had another banner year as the team to beat in the Central Conference, clinching its 17th Open Cup appearance. The Bucks turned on the gas at the end of the year, winning six of its final seven games to secure the Great Lakes Division title.

Record: 8-1-3, 27 pts., 2.25 PPM 

Season: 1st in Mid South Division 

Playoffs: Southern Conference Quarterfinalist 

Previous Open Cup appearances: 2019, 2025 

Best Open Cup finish: Second Round (2025) 

The Little Rock Rangers continued its dominance in the Mid South Division, claiming the title for the second year in a row. Little Rock was a composed team that thrived in low-scoring matches and never was out of the fight until the final whistle blew.