2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Match Preview - D.C. United vs. One Knoxville SC (USL League One) April 15th, 2026

D.C. United returns to Audi Field this Wednesday, April 15 for the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 against USL League One side One Knoxville SC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C. 

The Black-and-Red enter Wednesday's contest looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 defeat at the New England Revolution on Saturday. D.C. United generated 17 total shots and came close as early as the third minute when midfielder Matti Peltola's right-footed effort struck the left post but were unable to convert their chances. The Open Cup presents an immediate opportunity to respond and extend what was a memorable cup run a season ago. 

In the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, D.C. United defeated the Charleston Battery 2-0 in the Round of 32 behind goals from forward Jacob Murrell and midfielder Jared Stroud.  The Black-and-Red would advance to the Quarterfinals after goalkeeper Jordan Farr made history, becoming the first goalkeeper in Open Cup history to record four penalty saves in a 2-1 shootout win over Charlotte FC. The Black-and-Red's run came to an end in the Quarterfinals when they were defeated 5-2 by eventual champions Nashville SC. Head coach Rene Weiler’s side will be eager to start their 2026 Open Cup campaign on a positive note in his first-ever match in the competition. 

One Knoxville SC arrive at Audi Field as reigning USL League One Champions after defeating Spokane Velocity FC 2-0 in last year's final, going the entire season unbeaten at home. The Knox have carried that form into 2026, sitting second in the USL League One standings with a 3-1-1 record and 10 points through five matches. They advanced to the Round of 32 after defeating Asheville City SC on the road in a 3-2 penalty shootout, making them a battle-tested opponent despite the division gap. 

For D.C. United, the prize is significant. The 2026 Open Cup winner earns a berth in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and their name engraved on the historic Dewar Challenge Trophy. The Black-and-Red are three-time Open Cup champions, having lifted the trophy in 1996, 2008, and 2013, and will look to add a fourth on home soil in front of their supporters. 

By the Numbers:

• D.C. United are three-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions, having won the tournament in 1996, 2008, and 2013. 

• The Black-and-Red have not lost a U.S. Open Cup match at home since 2021, going unbeaten in their last four cup appearances at Audi Field. 

• In the 2025 Open Cup, goalkeeper Jordan Farr made history as the first goalkeeper to record four penalty saves in a single Open Cup shootout, helping D.C. United advance past Charlotte FC. 

• One Knoxville SC enter Wednesday's match with a 3-1-1 record in USL League One play, sitting second in the standings after winning the 2025 USL League One championship. 

• One Knoxville SC advanced to the Round of 32 by defeating Asheville City SC on the road via a 3-2 penalty shootout.

How To Watch

The entire Round of 32 slate – and every match onward to the tournament Final – will stream live on Paramount+. Six of those Third Round contests will also be simulcast via additional platforms; fans can watch three matches for free on CBS Sports Golazo Network, while three more contests will air on CBS Sports Network. The full broadcast schedule for the Round of 32 can be found below.

• All Round of 32 matches stream live on Paramount+

• Fans can watch select matches for free on CBS Sports Golazo Network

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup History

D.C. United has won the longest running tournament in US soccer history three times since first competing in 1996. The Black-and-Red won the tournament in 1996, 2008, and 2013. 

In their inaugural MLS season, D.C. United quickly established themselves as a powerhouse by winning both the MLS Cup and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 1996. Entering the Open Cup in the quarterfinals, they defeated the Carolina Dynamo 2-0 behind a brace from Steve Rammel. In the semifinals, Jaime Moreno’s double secured another 2-0 win over the Dallas Burn. Just three days later, D.C. United capped off their historic run with a 3-0 victory over the Rochester Rhinos in the final at RFK Stadium, earning their second trophy in just 10 days. 

Twelve years after its first U.S. Open Cup title, D.C. United recaptured the trophy in 2008. They began with a 2-0 win over the Rochester Rhinos, then edged Chicago Fire in extra time thanks to goals from Francis Doe and Bryan Namoff. A 3-1 semifinal win over New England, led by Luciano Emilio, set up a final against the Charleston Battery. Goals from Emilio and Fred secured a 2-1 victory and D.C. United’s second Open Cup title. 

D.C. United’s path to the 2013 U.S. Open Cup title was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season, where they struggled in league play. Under Head Coach Ben Olsen, the team threw its full focus into the tournament—and it paid off.   

The run began in the Third Round with a tense match against the Richmond Kickers that ended scoreless after extra time, before United advanced 4-2 on penalties. In the Fourth Round, Dwayne De Rosario delivered a standout performance, scoring a hat trick to lift the Black-and-Red to a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. That momentum carried into the Quarterfinals, where goals from Chris Pontius, De Rosario, and Lionard Pajoy powered United to another 3-1 victory, this time over the New England Revolution.  In the Semifinals, United traveled to face the Chicago Fire and turned in a composed performance, earning a 2-0 win behind goals from De Rosario and Nick DeLeon. The cup run culminated on October 1, 2013, in the Final against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium, where Lewis Neal’s goal just before halftime proved to be the difference. The 1-0 victory secured D.C. United’s third U.S. Open Cup title and a silver lining in a challenging year.