2019 US Open Cup primer: A look at who the Revs may play in the Fourth Round

On Thursday morning, the Revolution will discover who they will play in the Fourth Round proper of the 106th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup competition, which will take place on either Tuesday, June 11, or Wednesday, June 12. One third-round matchup was played last night, with OKC Energy FC of Oklahoma City knocking off the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 4-3. There are 10 more matches later this evening, and those winners will join OKC, the Revolution, and the other American-based Major League Soccer clubs in fighting for the oldest domestic soccer tournament crown in our country.

A few facts to keep in mind:

The Revs last year found themselves paired with Louisville City FC, and The Boys In Purple beat The Boys In Blue, 3-2. Prior to last year, the last one-and-done was 2015, when the Revs lost to Charlotte, 1-0.

New England has been to three US Open Cup Finals, and have won the title once, in 2007. They also went to the 2001 and 2016 Finals, losing to the Galaxy in 2001 and FC Dallas in 2016.

The Revs won’t play this Fourth Round match at Gillette, if they end up hosting. They traditionally play at a smaller facility, such as Harvard’s Jordan Field or Providence College’s Anderson Stadium.

So… who are the Revs’ potential opponents?

With 11 third-round winners advancing and the 21 American MLS sides entering the competition in the Fourth Round, there’s a good chance the Revolution will play in one of the five all-MLS ties; all third-round winners will play an MLS side. Possible MLS opponents could be any of them, but US Soccer tries to keep these rounds to geographic proximity to cut down on costs. That said, it’s possible the Revs would see Red Bulls, New York City FC, Philadelphia, or DC United.

What are the other possible matchups?

Hartford Athletic would be an interesting regional tilt should the draw put the Revs and HAFC together, and is the matchup we’re hoping for given the two Massachusetts residents in Harry Swartz and Mac Steeves playing for Hartford. HAFC plays at Memphis 901 FC tonight. Hartford advanced to the Third Round thanks to a win over New York Cosmos of the NPSL two weeks ago.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC or Indy Eleven: the two rival USL Championship sides square off tonight on the banks of the Monongahela River.

Louisville City FC, last year’s Revs’ Fourth Round opponent, will host Birmingham Legion. Seeing The Boys In Purple again would be a neat storyline. So, too, would Birmingham, given that Jay Heaps is the general manager, Tom Soehn is the manager, and former Rev defensive midfielder Daigo Kobayshi and striker Femi Hollinger-Janzen now call Birmingham home.

North Carolina FC hosts the lone remaining local qualifier, Florida Soccer Soldiers. Should the Soccer Soldiers win, they would more than likely play Orlando City or Atlanta United. North Carolina FC are the former Carolina RailHawks, whom the Revs beat, 1-0, in 2016's Fourth Round.

Other Third Round matchups tonight (All teams USL Championship unless noted):

Saint Louis FC hosts Forward Madison FC (USL League One)
Nashville SC hosts Charleston Battery
Austin Bold SC hosts San Antonio FC
Colorado Springs Switchbacks SC hosts New Mexico United
Las Vegas Lights SC hosts Orange County FC (NPSL)
Sacramento Republic FC hosts Fresno FC