Win and advance: Wisloka Chicago vs. Chicago Strikers at College of DuPage

Sep 14, 2025 53 Views US OPEN CUP

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — The Chicago Strikers and Wisloka Chicago meet Saturday night in the First Qualifying Round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at College of DuPage (7:30 p.m. CT). The single-elimination tie sends the winner into October’s Second Qualifying Round on the road to next spring’s tournament proper. ussoccer.com

The Open Cup—U.S. soccer’s oldest national competition, first played in 1914—offers a rare ladder from local clubs to the national stage. Sixteen Open Division qualifiers will emerge from four fall rounds to join the field next year. ussoccer.com

Form & context: Wisloka enters with momentum after an 8-2-0 spring in the UPSL Midwest Central North and a 3–2 league win over the Strikers on April 19. Chicago, making a third straight qualifying attempt, went 2-8-0 in the spring. Both clubs compete in the UPSL Premier Division. The Cup+2Premier+2

Wisloka to watch: A veteran spine includes GK #31 Konrad Dziedzic, defenders #2 Kalvin Glodz and #3 Maciej Rzadkosz, with midfielders #6 Konrad Rozanski and #15 Adam Przytuła supporting attackers #9 Artur Kielar and #25 Dawid Nowicki. Wisloka’s UPSL page lists multiple goal contributors this fall, including Lukasz Sulka and Illia Vasylenko. Premier

Strikers to watch: Chicago’s group features two center backs in #34 JJ Flores and #33 Patrick O’Neil, fullbacks #23 Anthony Cetera and #21 Declan Nugent, holding mids #14 Juan Garcia, #18 KD Hwema and #22 Donovan Quintanilla, playmaker #10 Sergio Reyes, and forwards #5 Danny Fanek and #7 Damian Manzilla in front of GK #0 Harvey Partida. Several appear on the club’s UPSL roster/tallies this year, including O’Neil, Sarpong, Cetera, and Godde. Premier

What it means: Survive and advance—win tonight and you’re 90 minutes closer to the national bracket, with Second Qualifying Round fixtures set for Oct. 11–12. ussoccer.com

How to watch: The match is slated for College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois; NSN coverage/listing is available via NSN 24/7.