The 2026 United States Open Cup saw Orange County SC secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over amateur side Laguna United in a third-round match on March 19. This result, a straightforward win for the professional USL Championship club, highlighted the gulf in levels as Orange County progressed to the next stage of the historic domestic cup competition. The match started with Orange County asserting dominance early, opening the scoring within the first twenty minutes through a well-worked team move finished by their central striker. The lead was doubled before halftime from a set-piece, giving the lower-league visitors a mountain to climb. Laguna United showed spirit after the break but were unable to breach a disciplined Orange County defense, who then put the result beyond doubt with a third goal on the counter-attack in the final quarter-hour. The key focus point was the professional execution from the higher-division side, who managed the game efficiently without overexerting themselves. Standout performances came from Orange County's midfield orchestrator, who controlled the tempo, and their goalkeeper, who made a crucial save at 2-0 to preserve the clean sheet. This win sees Orange County SC advance in their quest for the Open Cup trophy, while Laguna United's memorable cup run comes to an honorable end. Post-match, the Orange County manager praised his team's professional attitude, while the Laguna United coach expressed pride in his players for competing against a full-time outfit. The starting XI for Orange County SC featured their regular league goalkeeper, a back four, a midfield trio, and a front three spearheaded by their top scorer, while Laguna United fielded a mix of local semi-professional and amateur talent.