Hartford Athletic advanced to the next round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a professional 2-0 away victory over lower-league side FC Motown. The USL Championship outfit controlled the tempo from the outset and their superior quality told in a match played on March 19th. Hartford opened the scoring midway through the first half when their striker finished calmly after a defensive error from the FC Motown backline. The visiting side doubled their advantage just after the hour mark from a well-worked set-piece, heading home from a corner to effectively seal the result. FC Motown, representing the amateur levels of the American soccer pyramid, battled bravely and created a few half-chances but were unable to trouble the Hartford goalkeeper significantly. The match result is a classic Cup upset that didn't materialize, as the higher-division team navigated a potential banana skin with minimal fuss. The win keeps Hartford Athletic's Open Cup dream alive for another round, while FC Motown exits the competition with pride after a valiant effort. Hartford's manager highlighted the importance of respecting every opponent in the Cup, while the FC Motown coach expressed pride in his players for competing against a full-time professional team.