The festival of possibility is back. Even with the continued expansion of the first phase of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (Open Division Qualifying) to 155 teams, there is only one from the Northland - multi-time amateur champion Bavarian United from Milwaukee. Those century and a half of teams will be sluiced through four rounds of games over two months until only 16 remain.
Receiving a bye into the second phase (the First Round Proper) are the regular season's best team from USL League Two, Minneapolis City SC - one of 16 such automatic qualifiers, bringing to 32 the total number of amateur clubs who will then all meet professionals in that First Round. The exact structure of entrance by professional sides has not yet been announced.
The Crows have an interesting history in this tournament, although the majority of that is in the qualifiers. Their only match in the Tournament Proper being a First Round exit 4-2 to Des Moines Menace in 2022.
The draw for the First Qualifying Round will be next week.
