Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Second Round
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET (22:30 UTC)
Venue: City Stadium, Richmond, Virginia
Broadcast: Paramount+
Venue, setting, and weather context
Stadium: City Stadium is Richmond’s historic home ground, a tight, intimate venue that tends to amplify crowd energy and favor aggressive, front‑foot play.
City: Richmond, Virginia
Typical early‑April conditions:
Temperature: Mid‑50s to mid‑60s °F in the evening
Conditions: Often cool, with a chance of light wind and scattered clouds
On‑field impact: Ball should move quickly on the surface; conditions favor high work‑rate sides and pressing structures rather than heat‑management games.
(For exact, day‑of forecasts you’d check closer to kickoff, but nothing in the seasonal profile suggests extreme weather.)
Injury report
Richmond Kickers:
Unavailable: None listed
Status: Full squad expected, which is significant for rotation and in‑game tactical flexibility.
Loudoun United FC:
Doubtful/Unavailable: Hakim Karamoko (illness)
Impact: Karamoko’s absence or limited availability slightly reduces Loudoun’s depth and dynamism in wide/attacking phases.
Team records and recent form
Richmond Kickers – last 5 matches (all competitions)
0–1 vs FC Naples
2–0 vs Northern Virginia FC
1–1 vs AV Alta
5–1 vs Forward Madison FC
0–2 vs AV Alta
Record: 2 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw
Goals For: 8 (1.6 per match)
Goals Against: 5 (1.0 per match)
Over 2.5 goals: 2 of 5
Both Teams To Score (BTTS): 2 of 5
Richmond shows a volatile attacking profile—capable of big scorelines (5–1) but also prone to low‑scoring or shutout results. Defensive numbers are relatively solid, with only one match conceding more than one goal.
Loudoun United FC – last 5 matches (all competitions)
0–0 vs Miami FC
2–1 win vs West Chester United
2–3 loss vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
0–1 loss vs North Carolina FC
0–1 loss vs North Carolina FC
Record: 1 win, 3 losses, 1 draw
Goals For: 4 (0.8 per match)
Goals Against: 6 (1.2 per match)
Over 2.5 goals: 2 of 5
BTTS: 2 of 5
Loudoun’s recent form is mixed to poor, with attacking output inconsistent and several narrow defeats. They remain competitive but have struggled to turn performances into results.
Series history
Official head‑to‑head record (90 minutes):
Richmond Kickers: 0 wins
Loudoun United FC: 0 wins
Draws: 1
That draw came in a prior U.S. Open Cup meeting, where Loudoun United advanced on penalties (5–4) after a 1–1 draw on April 17, 2024.
Takeaway:
In regulation, these sides are effectively even historically, but Loudoun has already knocked Richmond out of this competition once via penalties, which adds a psychological edge and narrative layer to this rematch.
Tactical overview and key player matchups
Richmond Kickers – profile
Competition level: USL League One
Style: Traditionally compact, organized, and difficult to break down at home; capable of quick transitions and exploiting wide areas.
Recent form suggests:
Solid defensive structure with occasional lapses
Attack that can explode when rhythm is found (e.g., 5–1 vs Forward Madison)
Key matchups:
Richmond wide attackers vs. Loudoun fullbacks/wingbacks
If Richmond can isolate 1v1s in wide channels, they can force Loudoun’s back line to collapse and open central spaces.
Richmond central midfield vs. Loudoun’s tempo control
Richmond’s ability to disrupt Loudoun’s build‑up and second‑ball retention will be crucial in limiting sustained pressure.
Loudoun United FC – profile
Competition level: USL Championship
Style: Higher‑tempo, more vertical, with emphasis on attacking quality and composure in knockout settings.
Cup mentality:
Advanced to this Second Round after a strong opening performance, showing they can handle knockout pressure away from home.
Key matchups:
Loudoun forwards vs. Richmond center‑backs
Loudoun’s higher‑division attacking talent will test Richmond’s back line, especially in transition and on quick combinations around the box.
Loudoun’s midfield press vs. Richmond’s build‑up
If Loudoun can press effectively and force turnovers in Richmond’s half, they can tilt the xG battle in their favor despite being away.
MATCH ODDS
Richmond Kickers – 125
Loudoun United + 375
Draw + 525
Over 2.5 – 110 Under 2.5 + 100
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, March 31, 2026
