FA Cup Quarterfinal Fixtures Set After Dramatic Weekend Matches
FA Cup Quarterfinal Fixtures Set After Dramatic Weekend Matches...
The FA Cup quarterfinal matchups are officially set after a weekend of thrilling upsets and last-minute drama, capturing attention from American soccer fans tuning in during Premier League's growing stateside popularity. The tournament's "magic of the cup" momentum peaked Sunday when Championship-side Coventry City stunned Premier League Wolves with a 3-2 comeback victory, securing their first quarterfinal berth since 2009.
Manchester United narrowly avoided elimination against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, with Casemiro's 89th-minute winner sending them to a March 16 showdown against Liverpool at Old Trafford. Defending champions Manchester City will host Newcastle United, while Chelsea travels to Leicester City in a clash of former Premier League champions.
American interest spiked as USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner's Nottingham Forest was eliminated, while fellow national team star Christian Pulisic remains in contention with AC Milan (though his former club Chelsea advanced without him). ESPN's U.S. broadcast rights and the tournament's unpredictable nature have driven stateside engagement, with Google searches for "FA Cup fixtures" up 240% this morning.
The complete quarterfinal schedule (all times ET):
- March 16: Manchester United vs. Liverpool (7:30 AM)
- March 17: Chelsea vs. Leicester City (9:45 AM)
- March 17: Manchester City vs. Newcastle (12:30 PM)
- March 18: Coventry City vs. winner of Monday's Luton vs. Everton replay (2:45 PM)
With no lower-division teams left except Coventry, the tournament enters its business end as a showcase for England's elite. The semifinals are scheduled for April 20-21 at Wembley Stadium, where last year's final drew 2.3 million U.S. viewers - the tournament's highest American audience in a decade.
