Jägermeister Cup – Groups 1 & 2 Preview | OneFootball

My colleague Josep got his two cents in on groups 3 through 6, but I’m back and ready to deliver the dirt. Here’s the high level overview for anyone who’s missed out on how this thing works:

You can read my brilliant overview on the Cup’s history here.

Group 1

Orange County SC vs. Las Vegas Lights

April 26 @ 10:00pm ET. Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine CA Streaming on ESPN+ Here we are faced with two clubs who just can’t get their seasons in gear. Both teams sport a 2W – 3L record (with some draws). Both suffered Open Cup losses to lower-tier teams. Head-to-head  Las Vegas has the edge from their April 5 tie where they snatched a 1 – 0 win in the 93rd minute. This game could be that tight, or it could be a wild and open goal-fest.

Sacramento Republic vs. AV ALTA

April 26 @ 10:00pm ET. Heart Health Park, Sacramento CA Streaming on ESPN+ Up in the high desert of the Antelope Valley there’s a soccer revolution underway led by AV ALTA, one of the new crop of USL League 1 clubs. They’re a respectable five win, two loss side who play with tenacity and heart. If you saw how Sac Republic struggled against El Farolito, I suspect it will be similar in this tie. Ultimately, Republic’s depth should give them the win, but it will a challenge.

Spokane Velocity vs. Oakland Roots

April 27 @ 10:00pm ET. ONE Spokane Stadium, Spokane WA Streaming on ESPN+ I really want to be supportive of Oakland in this one, but this match-up has “Danger, Will Robinson!” written all over it. Issue one: Oakland has to travel to Washington. We know how that last journey ended. Issue two: Spokane is actually good. They’re sitting second in their league, and only have two losses on the year (coincidentally to Tacoma, the same team that knocked out Oakland last week, also in extra time).

Bye: Monterey Bay

The Seasiders get to kick back and lick their wounds from yesterday’s loss to New Mexico United in league play.

Group 2

Texoma FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC

April 26 @ 8:00pm ET. Historic Bearcat Stadium, Sherman TX Streaming on ESPN+ It has been a miserable start for Texoma FC, one of the five new USL League 1 expansion teams. They have lost five of six games, including their inaugural match against amateur side Foro FC in the U.S. Open Cup first round. Until last week’s draw against Forward Madison, the team had as many red cards as goals scored (2). All this presages an easy El Paso victory, but maybe the visitors will start a younger squad, or Texoma can channel some “cup magic.”

New Mexico United vs. Union Omaha

April 26 @ 9:00pm ET. Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, Albuquerque NM Streaming on ESPN+ Not a lot of rest for New Mexico, who played Monterey Bay on Wednesday night in an unusual mid-week league match. This should absolutely give Union Omaha a boost. The Owls are legitimate giant-killers (they knocked San Antonio out of the U.S. Open Cup) and will be sharpening their talons to add another higher tier club onto their trophy wall.

Phoenix Rising vs. San Antonio FC

April 26 @ 10:00pm ET. Phoenix Rising Stadium at 38th St/Washington, Phoenix AZ Streaming on ESPN+ Up until the start of yesterday’s second half against the Switchbacks, I was asking some serious questions about San Antonio. Through the first four games they were, hands down, the most dominant and dangerous side in the West. Then they stumbled, dropping three in a row (starting with the 4/6 tie against Phoenix). But that comeback win (highlighted by three goals in thirteen minutes) showed their grit, and Phoenix better watch out because SAFC has a score to settle.

Bye: Colorado Springs Switchbacks

After that total collapse against San Antonio last night, they need a rest.