First impressions: The U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 draw

On Thursday, the 16 teams remaining in the 2023 edition of the U.S. Open Cup learned their fates for the next round, with games determining the tournament's elite eight taking place May 23 and 24.

There's a little more structure to the proceedings now, with four specific four-team regions declared, and winners knowing who they'll face in the quarterfinal round once they get through their Round of 16 battles. 

While the overall value of the tournament in the American soccer landscape is debatable, the winner gets a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League and a trophy to hoist in front of fans — both undeniably good things, even if you draw Violette for your opener. 

It might not salvage the seasons for some of the remaining clubs facing various levels of transition, disappointment or even outright turmoil ... but it's better to win a trophy than not a trophy in any given season, and 14 MLS teams and two USL Championship teams remain in the hunt.

Here's a quick look at what the soccer gods served up. (Home teams listed first, with dates and times to be determined.) 

Central 

Austin FC vs. Chicago Fire FC

Maybe this is breaking Austin's way? After getting a USL team at home in the previous draw, Verde got the only team in their region that has fired its coach within the last week. 

It's also a bonus that Verde got this match at home; according to the Austin FC Comms team, Q2 Stadium brought in the most fans of any venue for the Open Cup Round of 32. (To cite the maxim, Austin fans are still undefeated.) 

Prediction: Austin, maybe with another Rodney Redes goal

Houston Dynamo FC vs. Minnesota United FC

Houston was down a man for about an hour against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night, but was still able to get a shutout, making good with its only shot on target for a 1-0 win. Its reward is hosting MNUFC, who outlasted the Union in a shootout, denying us a rematch of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup final where it happened. 

We hope you're happy, Loons. 

Prediction: In the interest of pleasing the soccer gods, Houston

Northeast

New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati

The Red Bulls are undergoing a massive transition with head coach Gerhard Struber exiting after what's been a dismal start to the season by several different metrics. FC Cincinnati, meanwhile, has been stuck in a lower gear and is about to say goodbye to Brazilian striker Brenner, but is still among the top teams in the league per the standings. How we feeling about all this, Knifey Lion Nation? 

Honestly, can't tell if Cincy fans like this prospect of more games or not. I mean, they seem to like home games. 

Prediction: Knifey Lion all the way, even if more games makes them sad

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Columbus Crew

Pittsburgh beat the Revs at Gillette Stadium in front of almost no one and gets to host the Crew as a result. 

This is great Big Ten stuff, a battle of yellow and black jerseys and a potentially fun match, but the talent gap and Wilfried Nancy makes this a bridge too far for the 'Hounds. Sorry, Pittsburgh friends. 

Prediction: Painfully, the Crew

Southeast

Birmingham Legion vs. Charlotte FC

If there's a cupset special in the Round of 16, this might be it. The Legion will host, Charlotte's been a little shaky at points this season and our own Jonathan Check reminded us a few rounds ago just who the legendary Juan Agudelo plays for. 

Prediction: Legion, and if Charlotte wins, I never made this prediction

Inter Miami CF vs. Nashville SC

Nashville could be the team best built for the Open Cup, though they do have a history with penalty kicks not going well for them, but if they're thumping opponents like they have been of late, they won't need to worry about drawing at the end of 120 or even 90 minutes. 

Meanwhile, Miami relied on an own goal against USL side Charleston just to get this far. 

Prediction: Nashville, possibly on through to the final

West, aka the Group of Hate

Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake

Anybody order a Rocky Mountain Cup, well done? (Those of you who heard that in the voice of Loveburger's lead singer from Can't Hardly Wait, that's exactly what that was.)

Ahem, anyhow: It's the teams from Commerce City and Sandy, two teams who have historically hated each other, with a chance to play an El Trafico winner to get to the final four. That sounds like just the job for an opportunistic RSL side, though the Rapids have a seven-game unbeaten streak of mostly ties going. Both teams nabbed four goals in their Round of 32 matches, with the Raps beating last year's finalists Sacramento 4-2 and RSL outlasting the Timbers 4-3. 

Prediction: RSL, in a fiery PK shootout

LAFC vs. LA Galaxy

Oh, you spunky soccer gods! A year after giving us an El Trafico in Open Cup that turned out to be great — giving neutrals hope that the Galaxy would hold up their end of the rivalry by winning — it's coming back around again. While rotation's been a big part of the Open Cup story for LAFC, they got past Monterey Bay on the road in PKs with a very youth-heavy lineup — save for their keeper. Meanwhile, the Galaxy just knocked off the Sounders 3-1 on a Memo Rodriguez brace when no one's scored more than one for the Galaxy all year, NBD. 

Will LAFC be looking to the CCL final starting May 31 and punt on Open Cup? Or will they greedily try to stockpile all the titles? 

Prediction: LAFC, like a trophy-hoarding cranky dragon