Three-time U.S. Open Cup champions D.C. United kicked off their 2025 tournament campaign on Tuesday night with a 2-0 extra-time win over USL Championship side Charleston Battery at Audi Field. The Black-and-Red will now host the Round of 16 in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Audi Field against Charlotte FC on Wednesday, May 21 with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
The U.S. Open Cup, first held in 1914, is the country’s oldest soccer tournament, bringing together clubs from every level of the American pyramid in a knockout format. Coming off a 2-1 league win over Colorado, United looked to keep the momentum going against a Charleston team that had just put four past Tormenta FC.
It was a tense 90 minutes with few clear chances for either team. Both sides battled for control, but the match remained goalless at the end of regulation time.
In extra time, Jacob Murrell broke the deadlock in the 96th minute with a left-footed strike from distance, picking out the top corner to give United the lead. Seven minutes later, Jared Stroud doubled the advantage in the 103rd minute, calmly slotting home after a well-timed pass from Randall Leal, who provided the assists on both goals and made an immediate impact as a halftime substitute.
Charleston’s hopes of a comeback faded in the 115th minute when Juan Torres was sent off, reducing the visitors to 10 men. D.C. United closed out the match and goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong, who made four saves, recorded his second shutout of the season.
D.C. United will face Charlotte FC in the Round of 16 after winning 4-1 against North Carolina FC in extra time on May 6. It will be the first time in club history that the Black-and-Red
D.C. United Lineup: Joon-Hong Kim, Matti Peltola (Jared Stroud 82'), Garrison Tubbs, Kye Rowles, Derek Dodson, Boris Enow (Rida Zouhir 61'), Brandon Servania, David Schnegg (Aaron Herrera 46'), Hosei Kijima (Fidel Barajas 72'), Jacob Murrell, Hakim Karamoko (Randall Leal 46')
Unused Substitutes: Jordan Farr, Christian Benteke
Head Coach: Troy Lesesne
Charleston Battery Lineup: Luis Zamudio, MD Myers, Rubio Rubben (Cal Jennings 61'), Arturo Rodríguez (Douglas Martinez 84'), Aaron Malloy, Chris Allan (Mark Segbers 85'), Juan Torres, Nanan Houssou (Emilio Ycaza 99'), Joey Akpunonu, Michael Edwards (John Klein 109'), Langston Blackstock (Nathan Dossantos 91')
Unused Substitutes: Christian Garner
Head Coach: Ben Pirmann
