D.C. United will face the A-League's Richmond Kickers in a fourth round match of the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, July 21. The match, to be held at the University of Richmond Stadium in Richmond, VA, is set for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff. Tickets are currently available by calling the Richmond Kickers front office at (804) 644-5425. For more information, please log onto www.richmondkickers.com.
"At the beginning of this season, our team determined that winning the U.S. Open Cup would be one of our goals," said United technical director Dave Kasper. "As one of the three trophies available to MLS clubs this season, United has high aspirations to capture this championship."</p>
This year's fourth round match between United and the Kickers does not mark the first time that both clubs have met in Open Cup play. In 2001, United defeated Richmond 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Last season, United beat the Kickers in a pre-season exhibition.</p>
The Black-and-Red is no stranger to Open Cup success. In 1996, United defeated the Rochester Rhinos of the A-League in a convincing 3-0 win at RFK Stadium to capture the U.S. Open Cup title. The following year, United advanced to the finals before falling to the Dallas Burn in a penalty kick shootout following a 0-0 tie in Indianapolis, IN. The team advanced to the semifinals last season before losing to the MetroStars.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup dates back to 1914, making it the oldest soccer tournament in the U.S., and one of the oldest in the world. It is open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the U.S. and is a single-elimination tournament similar to competitions played in other countries around the world.
