This 2025 season, we’ve made it one of our primary missions to cover as many US Open Cup games as possible. It’s the oldest and most historic competition in America, giving opportunities for lower-league teams to slay giants and for communities to be swept up in the excitement of what only a true open tournament can bring.

Any given day, any club can win. That’s precisely what the aptly-named Virginia Dream FC proved against the Richmond Kickers. A second-year amateur club defeating a former Open Cup champion and legendary institution in the DMV area. It was poised to be a battle for the ages. A solid traveling contingent of Dream fans even made it out to Richmond to catch this one, adding dashes of pink across the sea of home fans in the stands. Their journey was well worth it as their club pulled off one of the biggest upsets during this first round. Well after the final whistle, a few Dream players stayed back and laid down on the pitch to take in the result. One that marks their first win in their debut Open Cup outing, and one that invites them to hope for a cinderella run this year.

This is what photographer Jared Soares had to say about the game:

What were some of the most notable things you saw in the stands or around the stadium in general? Set the scene.

The grass of the City Stadium is a favorite character of mine. For a Wednesday night, Kickers had a pretty large crowd plus Dream had a healthy traveling contingent and it was wonderful to see groups of pink in the bleachers.

How did the club you were covering experience this game? How did the players react? What about the fans?

Big jubilation after the final whistle. Lots of smiles and hugs plus a little dancing in the dressing room post match.

What approach/mindset did you go with to cover this game?

Since this was a road game for the club, I was interested in sense of place and trying to see scenes that made described the uniqueness of the road trip as well as the character of City Stadium. Also, Dream has added a few new players so I was looking for observed portraits of them. Plus, the club debuted a new pre-match shirt and I was trying to find images of those too. I like to have a couple self-assignments going into everything I photograph, whether that is looking for a specific detail or moment or just experimenting with a specific technique.

What was your favorite thing about the night? Describe it for someone who wasn’t there.

My favorite moment unfolded well after the final whistle, players were heading back the dressing room and supporters were exiting the stadium but a couple Dream players, Malcolm, Koffi and AP just laid down on the pitch to take in the result. It was a really special scene.

Why is the Open Cup important to you?

Any given day, any club can win.

The grass of the City Stadium is a favorite character of mine. For a Wednesday night, Kickers had a pretty large crowd plus Dream had a healthy traveling contingent and it was wonderful to see groups of pink in the bleachers.

How did the club you were covering experience this game? How did the players react? What about the fans?

Big jubilation after the final whistle. Lots of smiles and hugs plus a little dancing in the dressing room post match.

What approach/mindset did you go with to cover this game?

Since this was a road game for the club, I was interested in sense of place and trying to see scenes that made described the uniqueness of the road trip as well as the character of City Stadium. Also, Dream has added a few new players so I was looking for observed portraits of them. Plus, the club debuted a new pre-match shirt and I was trying to find images of those too. I like to have a couple self-assignments going into everything I photograph, whether that is looking for a specific detail or moment or just experimenting with a specific technique.

What was your favorite thing about the night? Describe it for someone who wasn’t there.

My favorite moment unfolded well after the final whistle, players were heading back the dressing room and supporters were exiting the stadium but a couple Dream players, Malcolm, Koffi and AP just laid down on the pitch to take in the result. It was a really special scene.

Why is the Open Cup important to you?

Any given day, any club can win.