that of the defending champion -- when they take on the New England Revolution in the quarterfinals. The Revolution began defense of their title with a comprehensive 3-0 win against USL2 Richmond Kickers.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
2008 OPEN CUP: The Revolution began defense of their U.S. Open Cup title with a rain-delayed 3-0 third-round win against USL-2 Richmond Kickers in New Britain, Conn. Sam Brill opened the scoring with a thunderous header befitting the weather moments after the break and Joe Germanese and Taylor Twellman added goals as a reserve-laden Revolution side eased to victory. ... Here's Nicol's team: Doug Warren; Chase Hilgenbrinck, Amaechi Igwe, Sam Brill, Rob Valentino, Chris Tierney, Pat Phelan, Brandon Tyler, Joe Germanese, Kenny Mansally, Taylor Twellman (Brandon Manzonelli 73)
IN THE OPEN CUP: The Revolution won the first major honor in club history a year ago, winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 3-2 victory against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park. ... In the final, Pat Noonan (21) and Arturo Alvarez (30) traded goals before Taylor Twellman put New England ahead to stay. Wells Thompson (57) scored the third before Abe Thompson hit in the 64th minute, but FC Dallas could get no closer. ... In their Open Cup run, the Revolution defeated defeated a nine-man Carolina RailHawks (USL1) 2-1 in the semifinals; the USL2 Harrisburg City Islanders 2-1 in the quarters and advancing 4-2 from their third-round tie against the USL1 Rochester Raging Rhinos ... It was the second time in club history they had played for the Dewar Trophy, falling 2-1 in extra time to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2001. ... Those are the only two occasions in New England club history they've won more than one Open Cup in any year; on four occasions (1997, 2000, 2004 and 2005), they crashed out at the fisrt hurdle. ... The Revolution have three times been dumped out by lower-division opposition, last in 2004, when they lost in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
CRYSTAL PALACE BALTIMORE
IN THE OPEN CUP: Crystal Palace has won Open Cup matches this year for the first time ever ... In their first season of existence last year, Crystal Palace Baltimore saw their Open Cup run ended early, with a 1-0 loss to PDL Ocean City Barons in the first round.
THIS YEAR: Crystal Palace Baltimore had to cross the country for their first-round tie and came away victorious, knocking off PDL Los Angeles Legends 2-1. Pat Healey put the visitors on the board two minutes before the break, and after a Kevin Gallagher strike tied the game (62), Healey scored again two minutes before full time for the win. ... In the second round, CP Baltimore and Harrisburg City Islanders met in the tie of the round. Level at 1-1 after 90 minutes through goals from Palace's Kevin King (10) and Harrisburg's Anthony Calvano (24), each team also playing a man down, Harrisburg took the lead in extra time through Matthew Mbuta before a Yu Hoshide spot kick sent the game into a penalty shootout. Palace hit three of their five efforts from the spot to move into the third round. ... Then in the third round, they knocked out the MLS New York Red Bulls in a stunning 2-0 upset in Annapolis, Md. Andrew Marshall and Gary Brooks scored goals for Crystal Palace in the 18th and 75th minutes respectively, who played the last 56 minutes a man down after former New England Revolution player Ibrahim Kante was given a straight red card.
FORM GUIDE: Crystal Palace Baltimore sits in third place in the USL Second Division with 22 points from 11 matches, nine adrift of the league-leading Charlotte Eagles. ... Palace have not played a league match since June 29, a 2-1 win against Real Maryland Monarchs, running their unbeaten streak to three. ... Gary Brooks is second in the USL Second Division with six goals, while Patrick Healey is tied for sixth with four.
