US Open Cup Quarterfinal Picks and Predictions: May 20, 2026
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Wed May 20, 2026, 1:55 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
soccer
We had two quarterfinals matches last night in the US Open Cup. Congratulations to St. Louis City SC and Orlando City for punching their ticket to the semifinals. Tonight, we see who they might face, as two more quarterfinal matchups happen this evening. The Columbus Crew host New York City FC, while the Colorado Rapids host the San Jose Earthquakes. Let's get into our favorite US Open Cup picks for tonight's contests.
U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals: Wednesday's Predictions May 20
In yesterday's contests, Orlando City asserted their dominance over Atlanta United, winning 4-1, and even leading 4-0 at one point. It wasn't very competitive. As for the other match, we had plenty of back and forth. St. Louis City led 1-0, then Houston netted two to take a small lead. However, the hosts earned a penalty kick to tie things up in the second. Eventually, after two scoreless extra time periods, St. Louis City won via PKs.
Who will advance to the US Open Cup Semifinals by winning tonight?
Columbus Crew vs. New York City FC U.S. Open Cup Picks
Hannes Wolf had a hat trick earlier this year against Columbus, but that match was at home. Will things be different on the road tonight?
Best Bet: Columbus/New York City Under 3 (-125) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Columbus and New York City already played once this year, but it was at Yankee Stadium. The hosts controlled the entire match, eventually winning in shutout fashion by a score of 3-0. New York City put six of their nine attempts on frame, while earning three corner kicks, while holding their foes to just two attempts on target. As far as the Eastern Conference standings go, Columbus is third worst at the moment with a 3-4-7 record. New York City FC is fifth on the table, with 19 total points and a 5-4-5 record. But will they be able to perform on the road?
Tonight I'll pay some juice for this total with push potential. The Crew were unable to produce much offensively in the first meeting, and that's been the tale of their season. Columbus has netted just 19 goals in their 14 MLS matches, but the back line has been fairly solid as well. New York City isn't netting too many of their own, but their back line is fourth best in the MLS, one of just a few teams who have not allowed 20+ goals yet this year.
Look for this to be a stale, boring, low scoring match, likely heading to extra time in a scoreless or 1-1 draw.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw (+600)
Colorado Rapids vs. San Jose Earthquakes U.S. Open Cup Picks
Niko Tsakiris has one goal in two appearances for San Jose in the US Open Cup
Best Bet: San Jose Earthquakes to Advance (+102) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
I do not know why the Earthquakes are underdogs in this match, but I'll take the bait and bet on them to move on to the US Open Cup Semifinals tonight. Now, we can have them advance however they please: in regulation, in extra time, or after a penalty kick shootout. Either way, we cash.
The Rapids rank No. 11 on the Western Conference table, sitting at 5-1-8 on the year. San Jose is second in the conference, ranking first in the West and second in the entire MLS in goals scored so far this year, netting over 2.20 per game. But their defense has been outstanding as well, allowing just one goal per match to opponents. Ultimately, the Earthquakes are simply the better team, and we are getting them at a great price.
They split matches with the Rapids last year, but won the more recent contest in Denver last May by a score of 2-0. Despite this being a quarterfinal match in the US Open Cup, I don't see much changing, which should result in an easy Earthquakes' victory.
Prediction: San Jose Earthquakes Win 2-0 (+1800)
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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