The Carolina RailHawks have already ousted one of Los Angeles’ Major League Soccer teams from the U.S. Open Cup. They can make it two in as many rounds Tuesday at 7 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park against Chivas USA.

While the LA Galaxy, who were defeated 2-1 by Carolina last Tuesday, did not have its marquee players on hand, Chivas is expected to play most of its core group, including stars Juan Agudelo, Alejandro Moreno, Juan Pablo Angel and Danny Califf.

Only 16 teams remain in the Open Cup, and eight are from MLS. Eight other MLS teams were upset by lower-division teams like the RailHawks last week. A Carolina victory would place the RailHawks either at league rival San Antonio Scorpions for the June 26 quarterfinals or at home against the Charlotte Eagles of third-division USL Pro.

The U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament that started with a 64-team field drawn from numerous levels of soccer competition. The tournament has been held since 1914.

J. Mike Blake