By Daniel Feuerstein | March 18tth, 2026 | Brighton, MI
The 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup had its first day of Round One Proper as eight of the nine matches were played on St. Patrick’s Day, Severe inclement weather wreaked havoc from Western Pennsylvania across Michigan, as the Steel City Derby in Pittsburgh between Steel City FC of USL League 2 and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Championship was postponed to Wednesday, March 25th. So, with conditions not suitable at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Detroit City FC moved the match indoors to the Legacy Center in Brighton, Michigan, where they trounced Michigan Rangers of the National Premier Soccer League by a final score of five goals to one.
Game Recap
After getting a scare in the sixth minute from Giuseppe Barone getting the early lead, Detroit City never panicked from that early deficit and continued to play their game, and controlled the match. Earning a brace was Preston Tabort Etaka and Alenander Dalou as they took their goal well and made sure their side would give their home supporters a chance to celebrate a victory and advance to the second round. Tabort Etaka equalized in the 22nd minute and finished off the scoring late in the match in the 86th minute. Dalou added his tallies from the 65th minute and the 81st minute. Maxi Rodriguez, who earned the match-winning goal in the 56th minute, took his shot well to capture the lead, and the Motor City club never looked back.
While the 2026 NPSL season hasn’t started yet, it was a fantastic effort from the Michigan Rangers to battle one of the top clubs in the Second Division of American Soccer. With two more matchdays in the First Round Proper, there will be more excitement to see which teams advance, as there will be fifteen more matches on Wednesday, and six more on Thursday. You can watch all first-round matches on U.S.Soccer’s YouTube page or select matches on CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports Golazo Network, and streaming live on Paramount Plus.
Remaining First Round Schedule
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH:
CHATTNOOGA FC Vs. KALONJI PRO-PROFILE 6:00 PM YOUTUBE
ASHEVILLE CITY SC Vs. GREENVILLE TRIUMPH 6:30 PM YOUTUBE
CHARLESTON BATTERY Vs. FLORIDA BADGERS FC 6:30 PM YOUTUBE
LOUISVILLE CITY Vs. SOUTHERN INDIANA FC 7:00 PM YOUTUBE
FC NAPLES Vs. RED FORCE FC 7:00 PM YOUTUBE
FC MOTOWN Vs. HARTFORD ATHLETIC 7:00 PM CBS SPORTS NETWORK/PARAMOUNT+
SC VISTULA GARFIELD Vs. ONE KNOXVILLE SC 7:30 PM YOUTUBE
BOHFS ST. LOUIS Vs. UNION OMAHA 8:00 PM CBS SPORTS GOLAZO/PARAMOUNT+
LITTLE ROCK RANGERS Vs. FC TULSA 8:00 PM YOUTUBE
SAN ANTONIO FC Vs. ASC NEW STARS 8:30 PM YOUTUBE
NEW MEXICO UNITED Vs. CRUIZERS FC 9:30 PM YOUTUBE
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC Vs. EL FAROLITO 10:00 PM YOUTUBE
AV ALTA FC Vs. VALLEY 559 FC 10:30 PM YOUTUBE
VENTURA COUNTY FUSION Vs. SPOKANE VELOCITY 10:30 PM YOUTUBE
ORANGE COUNTY SC Vs. LAGUNA UNITED FC 10:30 PM YOUTUBE
THURSDAY, MARCH 19TH:
CAROLINA CORE Vs. VIRGINIA DREAM FC 6:00 PM YOUTUBE
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE Vs. RISTOZI FC 6:30 PM YOUTUBE
FLINT CITY BUCKS Vs. FOWARD MADISON FC 6:30 PM YOUTUBE
LEXINGTON SC Vs. FLOWER CITY UNION 7:00 PM YOUTUBE
WESTCHESTER SC Vs. NY RENEGADES FC 7:30 PM YOUTUBE
TENNESSEE TEMPO Vs. CHATTANOOGA RED WOLVES 8:00 PM YOUTUBE
LAREDO HEAT Vs. EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE 8:30 PM YOUTUBE
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