STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC and Tormenta FC 2 have learned their opponents for the Second Round of the 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday. Per a release from the U.S. Soccer Federation, the USL League One team will travel to play the USL Championship’s Charleston Battery at 7 p.m. ET on April 8 from Patriots Point, while TFC 2 will face off against the Championship’s Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7 pm. ET on April 7 from Al Lang Stadium should the USL League Two team win its First Round match against The Villages SC.
As a result of competition parameters for the Second Round, 15 of the 29 matchups will see First Round winners against Division II clubs, four First Round winners taking on Division III sides, while Division II vs. Division III will be on the marquee for 10 contests. 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.
Eleven lower-seeded U.S.-based Division I Major League Soccer clubs will enter in the Third Round, which will be played April 21-23, while the remaining 12 MLS sides will take the field in their first Open Cup action in the Round of 32, which takes place May 19-20.
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.
Watch U.S. Open Cup Matches on ESPN+
For the second consecutive year and as part of a four-year deal, ESPN+ will be the home for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
For additional information and scheduling interviews, call (478-508-2604) or email: bodonnell@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/tormentafc.
