In the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals against NYCFC last week, Orlando City SC nearly blew it. They held a 1-0 lead at home, with a chance to squeak into the semifinals of a tournament that could be a boon for the playoff-less Lions. Simply playing important knockout games is enticing for a restless fanbase just waiting to get excited about something.

D.C. United took a first-half lead in their Round of 16 U.S. Open Cup game against New York City FC at Audi Field on Wednesday night but couldn't make it count, falling 2-1 to exit the cup competition. Alexandru Mitrita scored in the 38th minute, and then Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored the winner in the 41st minute, in the first-ever Open Cup game between the two sides.

A week after a dramatic late win over the Philadelphia Union, D.C. United host New York City FC at Audi Field on Wednesday night, hoping to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup for the first time since 2013. The winner of the game on Wednesday night — the first matchup between the two Eastern Conference foes in the Open Cup — will go on to face either the New England Revolution or Orlando City in the quarterfinal stage.

What looked to be a picturesque maiden voyage for FC Cincinnati quickly ran aground. The Orange and Blue have produced a solitary victory in the 12 matches since their bright 2-1-1 start and find themselves looking up at the rest of the league with 11 points. As the Gold Cup break provides a brief opportunity to reboot and prepare for a grueling summer and fall, it’s time to have a look at the top storylines from the first half of Cincinnati’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer.

On the brink of elimination from the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, a miraculous extra-time comeback helped D.C. United get past the Philadelphia Union at Audi Field 2-1. Anthony Fontana gave the visitors the lead in the 114th minute, but goals from Chris McCann in the 118th Wayne Rooney in the 120th helped United advance to the Round of 16.

Eleven days since their last game, D.C. United get back in action tonight in the U.S. Open Cup as they enter the cup competition in Round 4 against a familiar MLS side: the Philadelphia Union. The game takes place at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., and will be streamed on ESPN+. 

FC Cincinnati fans would never admit it, but Louisville City FC might be just the catalyst to spark the Orange and Blue from its current tailspin. 

In year's past, D.C. United's first involvement in the U.S. Open Cup has usually come amid a busy MLS schedule. That's meant that head coach Ben Olsen opted to rotate his squad, keeping players fresh and giving other players an opportunity to prove themselves on the field.