WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS (USL2) v NEW YORK RED BULLS
Wed., Aug. 2, Legion Sports Complex, Wilmington, N.C. (7:30 p.m. ET)
Two years ago, Wilmington was the scene of a stunning result, as the Hammerheads defeated Dallas. This time it's the New York Red Bulls who come calling - and they haven't done well in the Carolinas, twice losing to the Charleston Battery on the road in U.S. Open Cup, as they've been bounced out by lower-division competition each of the last two years.
WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS
IN THE OPEN CUP: This is the second time the Hammerheads have played the New York MLS club in the Open Cup. In 2000, the then-MetroStars claimed a 2-1 victory (Willie Files 67 - Mark Chung 39, Clint Mathis 43). ... On one occasion the Hammerheads have claimed an MLS prize - in 2003, when they defeated the Dallas Burn 4-1 in the fourth round. They then lost in the quarterfinals 1-0 to D.C. United. ... A year ago, the Hammerheads faced a pair of Dallas-based clubs in their sixth-ever appearance in the competition proper. In the second round, they knocked off amateur side Roma FC (this year's Cinderella story) 5-0 in the second round, then faced FC Dallas for the second time in three years, but lost 3-1 in extra time.
THIS YEAR: The Hammerheads have had a stirring run into the fourth round, knocking off a club from every level along the way. In the first round, they defeated the PDL Virginia Beach Submariners 3-1 (Anthony Maher 42; Kenny Bundy 73; Junior Zarate 80 - Dave Horst 84). Then in the second round, they beat fellow USL2 side Charlotte Eagles 3-1 (Derek Popovich 26; Anthony Maher 80, 83 - Patrick Daka 69), before upsetting the USL First Division Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 in the third round (Kevin Nylan 25, Chris Bagley 75 - Alex Pineda Chacon 60).
FORM GUIDE: The Hammerheads are in eighth place in the nine-team USL Second Division with 18 points from 17 matches, 18 points behind leaders Richmond Kickers. ... They lost 2-1 to the Harrisburg City Islanders at home last weekend, putting an end to a four-game unbeaten streak. ... Christopher Bagley leads the Hammerheads with seven goals while Anthony Maher has contributed six.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
IN THE OPEN CUP: A year ago, for the second year running, the MetroStars were dumped out of the Open Cup at the first hurdle by a second-tier club, losing 3-1 away to the Rochester Raging Rhinos. ... In 2004, they were eliminated for the second time by the Charleston Battery in their opening match, falling 1-0 in the fourth round. In 1999, they were hammered 4-1 by the Battery in a second-round loss. ... Three times the MetroStars have been semifinalists, in their first entrance into the competition in 1997 (losing 1-2 to Dallas Burn), 1998 (losing 0-1 to Columbus Crew) and 2000 (losing 2-3 to Miami Fusion). ... The MetroStars have lost to A-League competition three times, also failing in 1999 to the Staten Island Vipers (2-3) in addition to the two losses to the Battery. ... In 2003, the club reached a cup final for the first time in club history in 2003, though they lost to the Chicago Fire in the Open Cup Final through a Damani Ralph goal at Giants Stadium.
LAST YEAR: The MetroStars were once again bounced out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at the first hurdle by lower division opposition, falling 3-1 to the USL First Division (second tier) Rochester Raging Rhinos at Frontier Field. Defender Scott Palguta hammered home a loose ball after Metros 'keeper Zach Wells spilled a corner in the 20th minute, then 10 minutes later Mauro Carbajal doubled the lead. The Rhinos won a penalty in the 58th minute when Seth Stammler tripped up Jonathan Bolaños, Rene Rivas converting from the spot, before the Metros pulled a goal back late when Sergio Galvan Rey knocked home a Tim Ward cross.
