US Open Cup: The Lower Levels

Well hello faithful readers, welcome to a special edition AP article! In case you missed it, I'm going to recap what went down earlier today in the drawing for the first round of games in the US Open Cup, which currently involves teams from the National Premier Soccer League, Premier Development League, and other local leagues from further 'down' the Pyramid, some of whom I've interviewed. Check it out.

Firstly, all games will be played on May 11. Second, I will not be covering the Second Scenarios in this post. Third, I will have a section at the end of 'highlighted' games that I, personally, am very excited for.

Outbreak Soccer (CA) at Seattle Sounders U23's (WA)
La Maquina (CA) at Portland Timbers U23's (OR)
San Nicolas FC (CA) at FC Tucson (AZ)
LA Wolves (CA) at Ventura County Fusion (CA) 
Burlingame Dragons FC (CA) at Sacramento Gold (CA)
CD Aguiluchos USA (CA) at San Francisco City FC (CA)
West Chester United (PA) at Fredricksburg FC (VA)
Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves (GA) at Reading United (PA)
Aromas Cafe FC (VA) at Chesterfield United (VA)
Myrtle Beach FC (SC) at Charlotte Eagles (NC)
Des Moines Menace (IA) at FC Wichita (KS)
Jersey Express (NJ) at Clarkstown Eagles SC (NY)
NYRB U23's (NJ) at New York Pancyprian Freedoms (NY)
Lansdowne Boys (NY) at Long Island Rough Riders (NY)
Harpos FC (CO) at Albuquerque Sol FC (NM)
Corinthians FC (TX) at North Texas Rayados (TX)
CD Motagua (LA) vs Mississippi Brilla (MS)
Cincinnati Dutch Lions (OH) vs Indy Eleven NPSL (IN)
Detroit City FC (MI) at Michigan Bucks (MI)
Kraze United (FL) at The Villages SC (FL)
Boca Raton FC (FL) vs Miami Fusion (FL)
AFC Cleveland (OH) at GPS Portland Phoenix (ME)
Southcoast United Phantoms (NH) at Southie FC (MA)

Now, time to highlight some first round games to watch!

• Detroit City FC at Michigan Bucks - Sure, this is 'at' the Bucks place, but based on the last USOC showdown they had, you won't be able to tell. Really hoping DCFC gets the win this time, and can pull of hosting a game at Keyworth. That atmosphere would be insane.
• Harpos FC at Albuquerque Sol FC - This game should be high on your list of games to keep tabs on. Harpos, the 'Bullshit Pub Team,' taking on an Albuquerque team that's determined to go pro ASAP. Might be the only chance to see them play, and ABQ is really pushing their Cup appearance on the marketing side.
• Des Moines Menace at FC Wichita - This one is really probably only up there for me. Both teams are close-ish, are successful, and don't come from traditional soccer hotbeds. 
• CD Aguiluchos USA at San Francisco City FC - In all honesty, this intrigues me because I really want to see how far supporter owned SFCFC can go. And I'd love to see a LA Wolves vs SFCFC game in the second round.
  
• Aromas Cafe FC at Chesterfield United - I have no idea who Aromas Cafe FC is. But if they win this game, I'm sure I'll be able to find out more! I wonder if they'll be this years Harpos FC?