Loyal and Albion set for U.S. Open Cup clash
Credit: SD Loyal SC
San Diego Loyal are starting their initial Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign with a hungry opponent in the same city. Albion San Diego will play host in Early April (5th-7th, date TBA) at Canyon Crest Academy.
#USOC2022 Second Round Pairings have been announced » https://t.co/LI8btJoAXo pic.twitter.com/FQOchcOcKu
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) February 11, 2022
In Loyal’s first two seasons, the U.S. Open Cup has not been contested due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Albion have previously played in the tournament under Albion SC Pros of the NPSL. Chula Vista FC defeated Albion 3-2 in the first round of the 2017 edition of the U.S. Open Cup.
Both teams will be entering the competition in the Second Round due to Albion San Diego playing in NISA and San Diego Loyal competing in the USL Championship. With the close proximity that the draw for this competition always brings in early rounds to reduce travel costs, the early round match-ups always have a bit of an edge to them.
Albion and SD Loyal both have something to prove to the residents of the city in this matchup. Who truly is the best team in the city? We shall get that answer soon enough.
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The winner of this match will be meeting up with 30 other winners from this round and the addition of 17 clubs from Major League Soccer with those Third Round games scheduled to be played April 19th-21st.
Born and raised in Point Loma, to a passionate soccer loving, Portuguese family and was raised with an even bigger love of the sport. Being from San Diego, he has a deep love for all of our hometown sports, but soccer is truly where his heart lies. He played the game from an early age through High School and even tried his hand at coaching the Point Loma High School Girls Soccer team. He has been a Loud and Loyal supporter of many clubs over the years, making his voice heard in many a chants behind the goal for the Sockers, the Loyal, and the Men’s and Women’s National Teams when they have played in our great city. He even met his wife of two years, through their joint love of soccer. You could say that every part of his life has always involved soccer.