US Open Cup Wednesday, April 17 - Third Round Bets
A quick surprise article with picks for the US Open Cup Third Round tonight.
The US Open Cup is the most important domestic club knockout tournament in the United States, one competition that should unite the nation’s clubs for this crazy sport. This competition also has given has some epic moments, such as Sacramento reaching the US Open Cup final two years ago. My favorite US Open Cup memory was of my Wilmington Hammerheads beating Miami Fusion, Miami FC, before losing on penalties in the fourth round to MLS side, Real Salt Lake, in the 2016 tournament.
This tournament has also brought together fans across USL interesting betting on the games. I thought I would provide my quick insight on the picks I like for tonight’s fixtures.
Note, all odds are as of Tuesday, April 16th, and not every match is being offered by my preferred sportsbook, Bet365. If a match is not here, there were no odds being offered on it. As always, make all bets at your own risk and view my bets below as options to pick.
Odds will be for fulltime result. To qualify bets will be listed if enticing.
US Open Cup Third Round:
Hartford Athletic v New York City FC II
1.72 - 3.50 - 4.00
Hartford has had a bit of a resurgence as a club to start the 2024 season. Three wins from their first four games in the league, having scored in all four games. NYCFC II meanwhile has scored 7 goals over their previous two USOC fixtures. Hartford should have the talent to advance, but look for NYCFC II to make it an exciting one.
Bet: Hartford to qualify, over 3 goals total (3.40)
North Carolina FC v Carolina Core
1.50 - 4.00 - 5.00
North Carolina has been a low scoring outfit this season, only scoring over 1 goal in a match once in 2024 (a 2-1 win against the aforementioned Hartford Athletic). Core meanwhile knocked out Open Cup darlings, Vermont Green last round and has not played a match in MLSNP since that April 3rd USOC match. This just feels like Core will embrace their villain arc and take another victory over a USL side.
Bet: Carolina Core to qualify (3.75)
Richmond Kickers v Loudoun United
3.75 - 3.75 - 1.72
Just one match this season has seen Richmond not score in the first half across all competitions. In two fixtures this year, Loudoun has given up the opening goal in a match. With the Kickers off the back of three matches in the cup and the league unbeaten, I expect City Stadium to get behind Richmond and will them to the opening goal.
Bet: Richmond Kickers first team to score (2.60)
Miami FC v South Georgia Tormenta
1.75 - 3.60 - 3.75
Goals, goals, goals. That is what one should expect from this fixture tonight. Tormenta are off the back of a 3-0 win over Lexington in their last match while Miami conceded five goals in their last time out against Tampa Bay. Tormenta may be in better form, but I would not expect Miami to go away so easily. Going to be a fun one.
Bet: Over 2.5 goals total (1.75)
Birmingham v Chattanooga Red Wolves
1.50 - 4.00 - 5.00
When these clubs met last season in the USOC, it was a 4-1 win for Birmingham. Hosting the match this time around, I think Legion make it closer than it needs to be, but ultimately get a 2-1 win in normal time.
Bet: Birmingham to win 2-1 (8.50)
Chicago Fire 2 v Indy Eleven
2.70 - 3.75 - 2.10
Chicago Fire 2 has been a sneaky good MLSNP team in this tournament, having scored eight goals across their previous two rounds (including a 2-0 win over Forward Madison in the previous round). I think they give Indy Eleven a good game and pick up the victory after 120’.
Bet: Chicago Fire 2 to qualify after extra time (15.00)
FC Tulsa v Northern Colorado Hailstorm
1.66 - 3.75 - 4.00
Might be the one match of the round that I am the most unsure about. Northern Colorado are winless to begin the USL1 season this year, with just one goal in that span. However, they have already won in Tulsa this season already, beating Tulsa Athletic in the first round of the Cup, before knocking off Colorado Rapids 2 in the second round. FC Tulsa meanwhile just grinded out a 1-1 draw against perennial league favorites, Sacramento, in a match where they conceded 23 shots.
Bet: Tulsa-Tulsa halftime, fulltime result (2.60)
Union Omaha v El Paso Locomotive
2.70 - 3.50 - 2.20
El Paso have never advanced past the second round in US Open Cup history (congrats on the furthest advancement in the USOC in club history El Paso), having lost to USL1 sides in each meeting. Union Omaha are slight underdogs shockingly in this fixture, but that is likely due to playing in the league below. Make no mistake, El Paso have lost four in a row entering this match and will be desperate to win it, but a defeat here would just sum up the season thus far for El Paso.
Bet: Union Omaha to qualify (2.05)
Las Vegas Lights v Spokane Velocity
1.66 - 3.75 - 4.00
This game has all the makings of an absolute meme-filled goal fest. Both teams have yet to be shutout in a competitive match this season, but I fancy Las Vegas at home in an edition of US Open Cup after dark.
Bet: Las Vegas to win in 90’, over 3 total goals (4.00)
Parlays:
Early matches parlay: Hartford, Carolina Core, Loudoun all to qualify (7.35)
Primetime parlay: Miami v Tormenta over 2.5 goals, Chicago Fire II to qualify, Union Omaha to qualify, Birmingham to win in 90’ (11.03, would also be a great round robin bet option)
Full night long shot parlay, 7-leg parlay each to qualify: Hartford, Loudoun, Chicago Fire II, Tulsa, Las Vegas, El Paso Locomotive, Chattanooga Red Wolves (47.63)
Find me on Twitter @ILM_Ryan and follow the USL Show at @theUSLshow.