Ballard FC will host new USL League One team Spokane Velocity in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup at Seattle's Memorial Stadium on March 20, it was announced on Friday. Ballard FC are one of 32 amateur teams to participate in the 2024 edition of the tournament after winning the USL League Two Championship last year, while all USL League One and Championship teams are participating.
“Qualifying for the U.S. Open Cup was a major achievement for our club but hosting the first round match is a dream,” Ballard FC Co-Founder and President Sam Zisette said in a team release. “This historic tournament provides incredible opportunities for small clubs like ours to compete against professional teams in competitive, do-or-die matches.”
The Sounders will enter the tournament two rounds later, potentially setting up the first intra-city competitive match in Seattle history.
Jeremiah Oshan
Although the Sounders have played home games at Memorial at various times since 1976, they don't appear to have ever played an Open Cup game there. At the very least, this appears to be the first time an Open Cup game will have been played at Memorial Stadium in the last 25 years.
