Washington, D.C. - Following last night's second round of U.S. Open Cup matches, United's third round opponent has been determined. The Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) defeated the Ocean City Barons (PDL) 2-1 in Ocean City, NJ and have advanced to face the Black-and-Red. United and the Islanders will face off on Wednesday, July 11 at Hempfield High School Stadium in Landisville, PA. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
United and the Islanders have played friendlies each of the last two years. During each meeting, United sent teams made up almost entirely of reserves. In 2005, D.C. snuck past Harrisburg 1-0 on the strength of a Jason Thompson goal at the Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg. Last year in Mechanicsburg, United earned a 2-1 victory with goals from Lucio Filomeno and Rod Dyachenko.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an annual national competition that is open to all amateur and professional soccer teams that are affiliated with U.S. Soccer. It is the oldest annual tournament in the U.S., beginning in 1914 when Brooklyn Field Club took home the very first title. MLS teams were first included in the tournament in its inaugural season of 1996, with D.C. United taking home the title. The only non-MLS team to win the tournament since 1996 was the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1999, when they defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in the final.
