FA Cup Quarterfinal Fixtures Announced As Underdogs Rise

FA Cup Quarterfinal Fixtures Announced As Underdogs Rise...

The FA Cup quarterfinal matchups were confirmed late Saturday, sparking excitement among U.S. soccer fans as underdog teams continue their surprising runs. The tournament, England’s oldest knockout competition, is trending in the U.S. due to growing Premier League fandom and the potential for historic upsets.

Championship side Coventry City, the lowest-ranked team remaining, will host Premier League giants Liverpool on March 16. Manchester United travels to Nottingham Forest, while Chelsea faces Leicester City in a rematch of the 2021 final. The most anticipated clash pits Manchester City against Newcastle United in a battle of top-flight contenders.

American interest has surged with U.S. internationals Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) and Gio Reyna (Nottingham Forest) still in contention. ESPN’s U.S. broadcast rights and morning kickoff times (9:30-11:45 AM ET) make the tournament accessible to stateside viewers. The Cinderella stories of lower-league clubs have particularly resonated, mirroring March Madness enthusiasm.

This year’s competition has already seen record upsets, including sixth-tier Maidstone United’s historic run ended by Coventry last month. With no replays in later rounds, every match now demands decisive results. The semifinal draw will occur immediately after the Newcastle-City match on March 16.

Premier League clubs dominate the remaining field, but Coventry’s presence keeps the tournament’s magic alive. Their potential advancement would mark the first second-division semifinalist since 2014. U.S. viewership is expected to peak during the Liverpool clash, which airs exclusively on ESPN+ at 10:45 AM ET.