Historic nationwide soccer tournament returns after 2-year hiatus due to COVID
Greenville, SC (February 11, 2022) – The Greenville Triumph Soccer Club are set to host the USL Championship’s Oakland Roots in the second round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Club, the tournament announced Friday. The match’s date and time will be announced in the coming days. Greenville is one of seven League One clubs to draw an opponent from the USL’s top division in the second round of the tournament. Both leagues enter the bracket-style tournament after the first round, which is solely comprised of amateur and semi-professional clubs.
The tournament, which began in 1913, features teams from all amateur and professional leagues in the United States. Should Greenville advance beyond their second round matchup against Oakland, the club could travel to or welcome a Major League Soccer club in the next round.
“Playing in the U.S. Open Cup is opportunity our club doesn’t take for granted,” said vice chairman Doug Erwin. “Coach (John) Harkes is a passionate supporter of the tournament, having won the cup during his decorated playing career. It’s something our organization and our supporters really look forward to, and the excitement for the tournament is even greater this year after the COVID-induced hiatus.”
Triumph SC has competed in one prior Open Cup – the 2019 edition of the tournament during the club’s inaugural season. They hosted fellow League One side South Georgia Tormenta FC in the second round, with Anderson native Cole Seiler scoring a late goal to seal a 1-0 win. GTSC welcomed the USL Championship’s Charleston Battery in the third round, leading 1-0 before allowing two late goals to the Battery in a loss. Charleston would lose to Atlanta United in the following round. Greenville was set to host New Mexico United in the 2020 tournament before its’ cancellation.
Single match tickets for the Open Cup match and all League One Matches are due to go on sale in early March. GTSC’s complete 2022 League One schedule can be viewed here.
