TAMPA, Fla. – Six clubs from USL League Two booked their place in the Second Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup over the past two nights of action in the historic tournament’s 106th edition, giving the leading pre-professional league in North America the largest number of representatives set to square off against professional competition from the USL Championship next Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Starting on Tuesday night with The Villages SC’s dramatic penalty shootout victory against League Two rival the Lakeland Tropics, the New York Red Bulls U-23s thrilling victory and South Georgia Tormenta FC 2’s 3-0 upset of USL League One’s Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and continuing through victories for Reading United AC, Dayton Dutch Lions FC and the Des Moines Menace on Wednesday night, League Two’s clubs showed the high level of competitiveness and nerve that has been a hallmark of the league as it provides opportunity for players to progress toward the professional ranks.

“We are extremely proud of the performances that our clubs put forward, continuing the success of previous seasons that League Two clubs have achieved in this historic tournament,” said USL League Two Vice President Joel Nash. “There are now some tremendous matchups for the clubs that have advanced against top teams in the USL Championship, and we’re excited to see how the outstanding talent assembled by the six clubs moving on in the competition fare against strong professional opposition.”

Second Round action kicks off next Tuesday night with Dayton Dutch Lions FC heading to face the Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Highmark Stadium, and an all-Florida clash that will see the Championship’s Tampa Bay Rowdies play host to The Villages SC at Al Lang Stadium. Later that night, South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 will look to claim another upset when it visits Championship powerhouse Nashville SC.

The remaining three sides will be in action next Wednesday night, with two of the biggest names in their respective leagues set to clash when Reading United AC visits two-time defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC at Lynn Stadium. The Des Moines Menace will look to add to their rich Open Cup history when they play host to Saint Louis FC at Cownie Soccer Park, while the New York Red Bulls U-23 will head to Tennessee to face expansion Championship side Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park.

2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Second Round
Tuesday, May 14
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Dayton Dutch Lions FC, 7 p.m. ET, Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. The Villages SC, 7 p.m. ET, Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Charlotte Independence vs. Florida Soccer Soldiers, 7 p.m. ET, Sportsplex at Matthews, Matthews, N.C.

Hartford Athletic vs. New York Cosmos B, 7:30 p.m. ET Al-Marzook Field, Hartford, Conn.

Nashville SC vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

OKC Energy FC vs. NTX Rayados, 8:30 p.m. ET, John Crain Field, Norman, Okla.

Austin Bold FC vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 8:30 p.m. ET, Bold Stadium, Austin, Texas

San Antonio FC vs. Laredo Heat SC, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field, San Antonio, Texas

Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Cal FC, 10:30 p.m. ET, Cashman Field, Las Vegas, Nev.

Wednesday, May 15
El Farolito vs. Fresno FC, 5:30 p.m. ET, Boxer Stadium, San Francisco, Calif.

Indy Eleven vs. Lansing Ignite FC, 7 p.m. ET, Sellick Bowl, Indianapolis, Ind.

North Carolina FC vs. Richmond Kickers, 7 p.m. ET, Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.

Louisville City FC vs. Reading United AC, 7 p.m. ET, Lynn Stadium, Louisville, Ky.

Greenville Triumph SC vs. Charleston Battery, 7 p.m. ET, Legacy Early College, Greenville, S.C.

Memphis 901 FC vs. New York Red Bulls U23, 8 p.m. ET, AutoZone Park, Memphis, Tenn.

Birmingham Legion FC vs. West Chester Predators, 8 p.m. ET, BBVA Compass Field, Birmingham, Ala.

Des Moines Menace vs. Saint Louis FC, 8:30 p.m. ET, Cownie Soccer Park, Des Moines, Iowa

El Paso Locomotive FC vs. Forward Madison FC, 9 p.m. ET, Southwest University Ballpark, El Paso, Texas

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. FC Denver, 9 p.m. ET, Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Phoenix Rising FC vs. New Mexico United, 10:30 p.m. ET, Casino Arizona Field, Phoenix, Ariz.

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Reno 1868 FC, 10:30 p.m. ET, Papa Murphy’s Park, Sacramento, Calif.

Orange County SC vs. Orange County FC, 10:30 p.m. ET, Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, Calif.