Indiana’s Team Returns to U.S. Soccer’s National Championship Versus MLS NEXT Pro Side on Tuesday, April 5 at IUPUI Carroll Stadium
CHICAGO/INDIANAPOLIS – U.S. Soccer has determined the pairings and possible pairings for the Second Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – U.S. Soccer’s National Championship. Twenty-three Division II and 23 Division III pro teams will see their first tournament action, joining 16 First Round winners in a week that will feature a modern record of 31 matches in a single round.
Among that group of teams entering in the Second Round is Indy Eleven, which will now host its 2022 USOC opener against MLS NEXT Pro side St. Louis CITY 2 on Tuesday, April 5. Kickoff at IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET; broadcast information for the game will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the match will be on sale exclusively to 2022 Season Ticket Members through this Friday, March 4 at 11:00 a.m., when they will go on sale to the public via indyeleven.com/tickets; Season Ticket Holders should look for details on how they can purchase via email this afternoon.
Seats for the match in the Brickyard Battalion (West Stand) and Corner Sections will cost only $5, while tickets in the Sideline, Midfield, and Premier Sections will cost $11. In addition, Premium Hospitality options are also available and can be secured by calling 317-685-1100.
“The U.S. Open Cup offers our club the valued opportunity to compete for a trophy for our fans and make an indelible mark on the American soccer landscape,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry. “We are glad to have the opportunity to begin our Cup run at home in April and look forward to our fans supporting us throughout this prestigious tournament.”
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup returns for its 107th installment in 2022. Indy Eleven’s last U.S. Open Cup run in 2019 started with a 1-0 victory over USL League One side Lansing Ignite FC in the Second Round at Butler University’s Sellick Bowl before Indiana’s Team suffered defeat by the same scoreline at fellow USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the Third Round.
The 46 professional teams debuting in the Second Round include 23 from the USL Championship (Division II), two from MLS NEXT Pro (Division III), 10 from the National Independent Soccer Association (Division III) and 11 from USL League One (Division III). They will be joined in the Second Round by the 16 Open Division winners from the First Round, set for March 22-23.
As a result of competition parameters and the hosting draw for the Second Round, eight games of the 31 matchups will see First Round winners against Division II clubs, eight First Round winners taking on Division III sides, while Division II vs. Division III will be on the marquee for 15 contests.
More details surrounding the tournament, including a full listing of Second Round pairings, can be found at ussoccer.com/us-open-cup.
Competition rules for the Second Round require First Round winners to be paired against either a Division II or Division III club. Further, the tournament has a universal provision to preclude teams from the same qualifying pool playing their first Open Cup game from facing each other. Each pro division is considered a unique qualifying pool regardless of the number of leagues in the division.
Pairings were made on a geographical basis within the parameters listed above. If three or more teams/pairings were from the same proximity, matchups for these teams were made by random selection. Instances where a logical geographic fit did not exist were resolved by random selection. Home teams for each round are determined by random selection among those who apply to host. Clubs whose venue meets minimum tournament standards are given priority.
Seventeen lower-seeded U.S.-based Division I Major League Soccer clubs will enter in the Third Round, which will be played April 19-21, while the remaining eight MLS sides will take the field in their first Open Cup action in the Round of 32, which takes place May 10-11.
April 8 Third Round Draw
April 19-21 Third Round (17 lower-seeded Division I teams enter)
April 22 Round of 32 Draw
May 10-11 Round of 32 (Eight higher-seeded Division I teams enter)
May 12 Round of 16/Quarterfinal Draw
May 24-25 Round of 16
June 21-22 Quarterfinals
July 26-27 Semifinals
Sept. 6, 7, 13 or 14 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final
The full range of ticket offerings for Indy Eleven’s 2022 season at IUPUI Carroll Stadium – starting with the home opener on Saturday, April 2, against LA Galaxy II – are now available, including Season Ticket Memberships, single game tickets, special multi-game packages, and an increased portfolio of hospitality options. To get full details and purchase tickets, visit indyeleven.com/tickets, or call 317-685-1100 during regular business hours.
