U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 Picks

We’re at the round of 16 stage in the U.S. Open Cup as two United Soccer League teams battle it out with 14 MLS teams for a chance in the quarterfinals.

We look at how the best MLS betting sites see the games and offer our U.S. Open Cup picks.

Nashville (+145) at Inter Miami (+160) 

One of six all-MLS ties kicks off the round of 16 with Nashville looking to make it eight wins in a row and nine unbeaten in all competitions.

In this run, Nashville has beat Dallas 2-0 in the round of 32 of the Open Cup, and also defeated Inter Miami 2-1 a week ago.

That recent win against Miami and the incredible form of Nashville makes it an easy pick here. It remains the only team in MLS with a single-digit figure of goals conceded, with nine allowed.

Nashville to win and over 2.5 goals is +275 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Cincinnati (+175) at New York Red Bulls (+130) 

Cincinnati is at the top of the standings by five points and has rapidly established itself as the team to beat in the MLS. It is also five points clear of Nashville in the Eastern Conference after losing just one game and winning nine. 

The New York Red Bulls have moved into 11th after winning two of their past three MLS games. They beat D.C. United 1-0 in the round of 32 and it could cause Cincinnati some issues here.

A tie at halftime and a win for Cincinnati at full time is +550 with DraftKings Sportsbook.

Minnesota United (+180) at Houston Dynamo (+140) 

A week from the meeting in MLS, Minnesota United is at Houston Dynamo. Minnesota won that game, but at Houston, it will struggle to get another victory. 

Houston has lost just one game at home this season and conceded only one goal. This came in a 1-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders, and the Dynamo should get its sixth win at home this year.

Houston to win by exactly one goal is +300 with BetMGM Sportsbook.

LA Galaxy (+430) at Los Angeles (-195) 

It’s the second El Trafico of the season, and it comes just five weeks after Los Angeles FC defeated LA Galaxy 3-2.

This is first vs. last in the Western Conference, as LAFC has won five more games, scored 13 more goals and let in 13 fewer than the Galaxy.

Derby games in the Open Cup usually mean you toss that stuff out the window, but we still think LAFC wins comfortably.

LAFC to win 3-0 is +1050 with Caesars Sportsbook.

Columbus Crew (+100) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (+230) 

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Championship look to spring another Open Cup upset when it welcomes Columbus Crew to Pennsylvania.

The Riverhounds caused the upset of the round of 32 games in a fantastic 1-0 win at New England Revolution. It also means the Riverhounds have scored four goals and conceded zero in its three Open Cup games this season.

Columbus has scored 25 MLS goals in 13 games and only Atlanta United has netted more goals in the Eastern Conference. 

The MLS experience and ability were on show in the Crew's 5-1 win over Loudoun United, and we expect another win for them, despite Pittsburgh’s excellent run.

Columbus to win and both teams to score is +280 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Charlotte (-110) at Birmingham Legion (+260) 

The second of two MLS vs. USL games sees Charlotte at Birmingham Legion.

Unlike Pittsburgh, however, Birmingham is yet to play an MLS team in its three Open Cup games so far and has lost its past four USL Championship games.

Charlotte has so far beat Orlando City and South Georgia Tormenta in the Open Cup by scoring five goals and conceding just one. It has also beaten Atlanta in Georgia and Chicago at home in recent MLS games.

Charlotte to win at half time and full time is +200 with Unibet Sportsbook.

Chicago Fire (+240) at Austin (-105) 

Austin has won its past two MLS games after a stunning victory at the Seattle Sounders before beating Toronto at home on Sunday.

Chicago's great start to the season has ended, and it is beginning to look more like the team that finished 12th in the Eastern Conference in 2022 once again. 

The Fire has also conceded 21 goals now after a 3-3 tie with Atlanta.

Austin to win 2-0 is +700 with DraftKings Sportsbook.

Real Salt Lake (+240) at Colorado Rapids (+100) 

Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake are set to battle at DSG Park just a few days after Salt Lake's win at Colorado.

RSL won 3-2 winners and has four wins for the season. Once again, however, it failed to make a shutout.

Salt Lake has made just three shutouts in its past 20 competitive games and comes into this game knowing that Colorado is seeking revenge. The Rapids have, however, conceded seven goals in its past two games.

It’s a tough one to call, so we’re picking there to be plenty of goals once more.

A 2-2 draw is +1200 with BetMGM Sportsbook.