The 2025 U.S. Open Cup field is beginning to take shape. While the Seattle Sounders will effectively have their spot filled by Tacoma Defiance, sources tell Sounder at Heart that Ballard FC has once again qualified for and will compete in this year’s tournament.
Ballard FC is one of only nine teams from 130 USL2 clubs to qualify for this year’s tournament. The club qualified based on their regular season points-per-game total and Northwest Division championship.
Given the regionality of the tournament and seeding, it is likely that Ballard will play against either Spokane Velocity or Tacoma Defiance in their opening match.
Ballard FC will enter the tournament in Round One as 1 of 32 amateur sides, who will face off against teams from MLS Next Pro, USL1, and USL Championship on the other side of the bracket.
The U.S. Open Cup is the oldest national soccer competition in the United States, dating back to 1914, and is open to teams from all levels of the American soccer pyramid. The Sounders have a rich history in the tournament, winning four titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014) and establishing themselves as one of the competition’s most dominant modern clubs. This is the second appearance in Open Cup for Ballard FC since its founding in 2021.
In the 2024 tournament, Ballard lost a thrilling match to Spokane Velocity at Memorial Stadium. The team is currently finalizing the 2025 roster and will likely bring in players from their recent open tryouts to bolster the side for an Open Cup run.
Local amateur side Washington Athletic Club has also qualified and will compete in the 2025 tournament, beginning with the opening round.
U.S. Soccer is expected to release the full roster of participants and first-round matchups in early February.
