Harbor City FC officially qualified for the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this past Saturday, marking a historic milestone for the club and the Space Coast soccer community. Our team will compete in the First Round of this prestigious tournament in the Spring of 2025, with details on our opponent, date, and venue to be released soon.
“We’re just extremely proud of the grit that the team showed to fight for 120 minutes and all the way through penalties,” said co-owners Trey Collins and Jordan Snell. “Qualifying for the Open Cup was our biggest goal for the year, so to achieve that is something that gives us a ton of joy. We’re excited for the energy that the community has brought to support us and we can’t wait to debut in the tournament proper in 2025.”
The road to qualification started smoothly and ended with a tough challenge against a familiar opponent. After earning a First Round bye, Harbor City FC began its campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Deportivo Lake Mary in the Second Round. The momentum continued in the Third Round with an emphatic 5-1 win over the Palm Beach Flames. The Fourth and final qualifying round took place at home, giving Harbor City FC the opportunity to qualify in front of their fans. The Melbourne-based club matched up against FC America, who knocked Harbor City FC out of last year’s qualifiers in the 3rd Round. After battling FC America to a tense 0-0 draw through regulation and extra time, goalkeeper Bryce Notardonato delivered the decisive moment with a stunning save in the penalty shootout, securing a dramatic 5-4 victory and sending Harbor City FC into the U.S. Open Cup.
While qualifying for such a prestigious tournament is an achievement worth celebrating, the journey is just beginning. Harbor City FC is determined to make the most of this opportunity—not just for the players and staff but for the Space Coast community that has been behind us every step of the way.
The U.S. Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States, dating back to 1913. This year’s edition, the 110th, will feature 96 teams spanning the American soccer pyramid, from Major League Soccer (MLS) to semi-professional and amateur clubs. The single-elimination format provides a unique opportunity for underdog teams like HCFC to make their mark against more established opponents.
“Qualifying is a huge accomplishment and is a testament to all the work being put in on and off the field by everybody at the club. It shows there’s real progress being made at Harbor City and we’re moving in the right direction.” said captain Sam Leighton. “Now is a time for focus. Making sure to finish out the rest of this season the right way and keep that positive momentum going into the Open Cup this spring.”
For Harbor City, this journey is about more than just winning soccer matches. It’s about representing our community, lifting up local talent, and inspiring the Space Coast to strive to get better every day. Qualification is just the first chapter in a story we hope to continue writing in 2025 and beyond.
Get ready, Harbor City FC fans—the tides are rising, and we’re ready to set sail on this historic journey. Together, let’s make waves in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup.
Up The Harbor!
Harbor City FC will compete in the First Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Details about the match, including our opponent, date, and venue, will be announced soon.
