Six area teams entering local qualifying for 2024 U.S. Open Cup

Six area teams will be part of a field of 109 teams seeking to gain entry to the 2024 U.S. Open Cup via local qualifying.

Local qualifying kicks off in the area on September 10 when two Eastern Premier Soccer League rivals – Kensington SC and Philadelphia Heritage SC – face off at The Proving Grounds at 5 p.m. in a Round One match.

The winner of that game will visit Vereinigung Erzgebirge on September 30 for a Round Two match at 2 p.m.

United Soccer League of Pennsylvania rivals Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and Colonial SC will battle on October 1 at noon at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and USL of PA team United German Hungarians will host New Jersey EPSL side Real Central NJ at Temple Ambler at 2:30 p.m.

The third round of qualifying will be contested October 21-22 and the fourth round Nov. 18-19. A total of 11 teams will earn passage from local qualifying to the U.S. Open Cup proper in 2024.

West Chester United already qualified for the 2024 Open Cup by making it to the NPSL semifinal. The Philadelphia Union automatically qualify through MLS. Ocean City Nor’easters are also in a good position to qualify after winning their division in USL League Two.