MATCH PREVIEW: LAMAR HUNT U.S OPEN CUP - RGV FC SET TO MAKE HISTORIC APPEARANCE

Edinburg, Texas (April 5, 2022) –Rio Grande Valley FC (1-3-0) member of the USL Championship travels to meet USL League One side North Carolina FC (1-0-0) at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, April 6 at 6:00 p.m. CST in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup. The matchup will be live nationally on ESPN+.

RGV FC: Making History

Rio Grande Valley FC will play its inaugural match in the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup on April 6, making history as a club after being selected into the tournament. Since being established in 2016, Rio Grande has not participated in the historic tournament which celebrates its 107^th edition.

La Copa:

The 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the 107th edition of the tournament, the knockout style cup competition is the oldest in American soccer.

The Opponent:

North Carolina FC competes in the USL League One ranks of the United Soccer League. The side played its first match of 2022 on Saturday, April 2 against South Georgia Tormenta FC, earning a 1-0 road victory. Garret McLaughlin scored the only goal in the match, making him a player to watch in the attacking third.

El Profe: U.S Open Cup Champion

Sporting Director + Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera knows the tournament well. He led MLS club Houston Dynamo to a title run in 2018 in the 105^th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup. At a media availability on Monday evening, he spoke on the tournament and the importance of using it to improve as a club in general.

“It is game by game; it is an opportunity to play the first game representing the club [in history]. It is a beautiful opportunity; it is a beautiful tournament, so we need to take it seriously. We need to put in all our effort to win and make sure that we continue to the next game, said Cabrera. “It is a good preparation for us also for the USL [Championship] tournament where we need to improve our level and get results.�?

RGV FC at North Carolina FC

WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, North Carolina

Wednesday, April 6 – 6:00 p.m. CST

STREAMING: ESPN+