The Battle For Central Jersey Exists — FC Monmouth Face Real Central NJ In 2nd Round U.S. Open Cup Qualifying
Written By Chris Dailey
FC Monmouth is officially entering the qualifying rounds for the 2027 U.S. Open Cup. Following a first round bye, The Blue and Gold will face a familiar foe in Real Central NJ this Sunday in the second round at Mercer County College.
Founded in 1914, the U.S. Open Cup is one of the longest running yearly soccer competitions in the world. The tournament’s rich history provides a vessel into American soccer history. While the modern era has been dominated by Major League Soccer clubs, New Jersey has its own proud history in the competition. Paterson FC became the first club from the Garden State to lift the trophy in 1923, while Elizabeth SC captured a pair of titles in 1970 and 1972.
Now, more than half a century after New Jersey last produced an Open Cup champion, FC Monmouth will look to write its own chapter in that history.
The qualifying rounds of the U.S. Open Cup features four match windows, the first window in September set a field of eight New Jersey teams to vie for a qualifying spot in the tournament proper. Rounds two through four will occur over the following windows: October 3–4, October 31–November 1, and November 21–22, respectively. The qualifying rounds take place regionally across the country, with 16 teams ultimately advancing through qualifying to the Tournament Proper. An additional 16 semi-professional and amateur sides qualify through success in league competition and past results, including the 2026 The League for Clubs champion. The first round of the tournament proper will take place in April 2027, with amateur clubs matched up against the pros.
FC Monmouth’s roster will feature many former top-level collegiate players, several of whom have represented FC Monmouth in the past. Due to NCAA eligibility regulations and the overlap with the college season, the roster will consist exclusively of players who have completed their collegiate careers, are former professionals, or those who have skipped the college route and still are aspiring to make it big.
“I’m incredibly excited for this year’s group” Says Manager James Davis. “It’s a group filled with fun new faces, as well as historic figures in this club. It’ll be interesting to see if they can all mesh out on the pitch.”
Head To Head:
FC Monmouth officially faced Real Central NJ for the first time this summer in The League for Clubs, earning a hard fought point on the road at Mercer County College, while concluding it’s 2026 League for Clubs campaign with a regular season win at home. While match history may seem brief, the two clubs are very familiar with each other, not just in proximity. The clubs have competed against each other for 3+ years on the women’s side of competition as well.
“We’ve played Real Central many times over the years in games that just might not have been on camera” Davis explained. “Their an incredibly organized club and always great competition as well as excellent hosts. I’m looking forward to another rendition.”
Last Time Out: Open Cup
This is FC Monmouth’s second year in the qualifying stages of the U.S. Open Cup, having fallen short to Bulldogs SC of the UPSL a year ago in the 2nd round of qualifying. The gut wrenching match saw FC Monmouth receive 2 red cards, and still take the match a full 120 minutes at Count Basie Park. Last year’s eventual NJ qualifying champion was Vistula Garfield, of Garfield, NJ, who took on the Chattanooga Redwolves of USL League 1 in the tournament proper. This time round the boys in blue and gold have further aspirations on the pitch to make history for Monmouth County.
Make sure to follow @Wearemonmouth on social media to keep up to date with all things FC Monmouth as the club looks to make history and join the likes of the New York Red Bulls in the U.S. Open Cup Tournament Proper.
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