PHOENIX — Phoenix Rising is set to open its Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign at home this season.
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May 7, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Rising and Houston Dynamo players battle for a cross during the second half at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Rising will face San Ramon FC in a first-round matchup scheduled for mid-March, according to the team in a press release. It will mark San Ramon’s first appearance in the tournament, pairing an experienced club participant with a newcomer.
The competition has long been American soccer’s most inclusive and unpredictable event, inviting clubs from all levels to participate. Phoenix qualified as one of 17 USL Championship teams selected for the tournament and owns an 8-8-3 all-time record in Open Cup play since first competing in 2014.
The club has won at least one match in each of its last two Open Cup appearances.
May 3, 2024; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC midfielder Marco Micaletto (22) attempts a free kick against Phoenix Rising FC midfielder Carl-Fred Sainte (6) and midfielder Noble Okello (8) and forward Dariusz Formella (29) and forward Remi Cabral (91) and forward Ihsan Sacko (9) in the first half at Weidner Field. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC
The first round also carries early-season importance. The Open Cup match will complete a three-game homestand for Rising, which opens its home slate with contests against Orange County SC and Oakland Roots SC on either side of the cup fixture. Winning three matches in a row would give the club early momentum as it navigates another long season.
Phoenix can view the match as both an opportunity and an expectation to advance in the tournament in front of its passionate home fanbase. As the veteran side in this matchup, Rising has the tools to move on in the Open Cup and continue its recent run in the competition.
Phoenix Rising’s Ascel Essengue and Noble Okello jump for the ball against FC Tulsa on June 14, 2025. Credits: Phoenix Rising FC
Phoenix opens Open Cup play against San Ramon on Tuesday, March 17, at 7 p.m.
Phoenix Rising to host San Ramon FC in First Round of 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
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— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) January 27, 2026
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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