2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Opening Round Set.

Today the USSF announced the opening round fixtures and second round pairings for the 2012 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.  As mentioned on their website, the first round action will feature squads from 19 different states.  There will be 32 clubs competing in the first round.  A major difference this year is that all Major League Soccer Clubs will move right to the 3rd round, putting the tournament more in line with it's overseas brethren like the FA Cup in England, where Premier League and Championship sides don't come in until the later rounds.  USL Pro teams (3rd Division) as well as NASL squads (Second Division) will make their entries into the tournament mostly in the second round.

Some highlights of the first round:

Brooklyn Italians at GPS Portland Phoenix--The Phoenix are thought to be the first ever representatives from the state of Maine to play in the Open Cup.  The Brooklyn Italians have won the Cup twice, in 1979 and 1991.

Long Island Rough Riders at FC Sonic--The Rough Riders have a nice history in the tourney, and the City of Bethlehem, PA, will host an Open Cup game for the first time in the modern pro era.  They're the home of 5 time Open Cup Champions Bethlehem Steel.  Perhaps some of you have purchased that particular retro shirt over at Bumpy Pitch.

Des Moines Menace at Milwaukee Bavarians--Last year the Bavarians could have been in the Cup, but the association lost their paperwork.  I kid you not, it says right on the Open Cup site.  This year they'll host the Des Moines Menace, one of the top teams in the PDL and perhaps a noise maker in the tourney.

The entire first round slate of fixtures as well as the second round pairings featuring USL Pro and NASL sides can be found here at the US Open Cup website.