The U.S. Open Cup continues to deliver must-watch soccer, and two of MLS's most recognized clubs are keeping their dreams of lifting the Lamar Hunt Trophy very much alive. The San Jose Earthquakes and Atlanta United FC have both punched their tickets to the quarterfinal round, advancing past their respective opponents and moving one step closer to Open Cup glory.
For American soccer fans, the U.S. Open Cup isn't just a secondary competition — it's the oldest ongoing national soccer tournament in the United States, carrying a legacy that stretches back over a century. Qualifying for the quarterfinals is no small feat, as clubs from across the American soccer pyramid compete in earlier rounds, making each advancing team's achievement genuinely earned.
San Jose has historically had a complicated relationship with consistency in MLS, but making a deep Open Cup run provides the Earthquakes a real opportunity to energize their fanbase and build momentum regardless of how their league season is shaping up. The Bay Area faithful know well that the Open Cup can be a redemption story, and advancing to the final eight keeps those hopes burning bright.
Atlanta United, meanwhile, remains one of the most supported clubs in all of MLS. With one of the loudest and most passionate fanbases in American soccer — regularly filling Mercedes-Benz Stadium — the Five Stripes making a deep cup run is always must-see television. Atlanta has the pedigree, the roster depth, and the fan intensity to make a legitimate run at the title.
The quarterfinal stage is where the Open Cup truly begins to tighten. Fewer clubs mean higher stakes, stiffer competition, and the kind of single-elimination pressure that soccer fans across the country tune in for. Every remaining match is a knockout, and one bad night sends a club home for good.
For the broader U.S. soccer landscape, tournaments like the Open Cup serve an important purpose beyond just crowning a champion. They provide meaningful minutes for fringe roster players, test tactical depth, and give supporters something to rally around during the grind of a long MLS season. They also remind fans that American soccer has its own rich cup tradition worth celebrating.
As the bracket tightens toward the semifinals and an eventual final, all eyes will be on whether San Jose or Atlanta can continue their runs. Both clubs will need to be at their best as the competition only gets tougher from here.
Stay tuned to El Paso Soccer News for continued coverage of the U.S. Open Cup as the quarterfinals take shape.