D.C. United to host NYCFC in US Open Cup Round of 16

Following this morning’s U.S. Open Cup draw, D.C. United will host New York City FC in the Round of 16. The game’s date and time have not been announced, but per U.S. Soccer’s directives, it has to be played between June 18-23. United has not yet confirmed a venue, but there is every reason to believe the game will be at Audi Field.

Update: United have announced that the game will be played next Wednesday, June 19 at 7:00pm:

The Black-and-Red have never faced NYCFC in cup competition, in part because the Pigeons have not had much success in Open Cup play. In fact, NYCFC’s 4-0 win over North Carolina FC last night was the first time they have ever advanced past the first hurdle in the tournament. Before that, they were technically 0W-1D-3L in their four USOC games, and the one draw ended with the New York Cosmos knocking them out via penalty kicks. The Cosmos and New York Red Bulls have been their only previous opponents, with defeat coming every time. Last night’s goals were their first goals in an Open Cup game since 2015.

Last year, United advanced to this stage of the tournament, but crashed out on penalties to a lowly Orlando City side at the Maryland SoccerPlex. In 2017, they did the same, losing on the road to the New England Revolution. United has not gone past the Round of 16 since improbably winning the whole tournament in 2013.

The draw placed the remaining 16 teams into four regions, and those regions determine the quarterfinal pairings. United was placed in the East region, and should they advance they will face the winner of the game between Orlando City and the New England Revolution. The winner of that latter game will host regardless of who advances, so if United is going to get to the semifinal, they’re going to have to go on the road and get a victory.

In the process of drawing this round, U.S. Soccer also announced that the last team standing in United’s East region will take on the winner from the Mideast region in the semifinal, with the draw to host that game falling on July 11 (the day after the quarterfinal games are played). That draw will also give out the hosting priority order for the Open Cup final, which will be played on August 27 or 28.

The full draw is as follows:

Orlando City SC (MLS) vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
D.C. United (MLS) vs. New York City FC (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC (MLS) vs. winner of Atlanta United (MLS)/Charleston Battery (USL Championship)
Saint Louis FC (USL Championship) vs. FC Cincinnati (MLS)
Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs. Minnesota United (MLS)
FC Dallas (MLS) vs. New Mexico United (USL Championship)
Los Angeles FC (MLS) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Portland Timbers FC (MLS) vs. LA Galaxy (MLS)