KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Wizards will open play in the U.S. Open Cup in the third round by hosting either the Minnesota Thunder or the Des Moines Menace on Wednesday, July 12th at the Blue Valley Athletic Complex in Overland Park, Kansas, it was announced by U.S. Soccer. The Wizards won the Open Cup in 2004 with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City will know its opening-game opponent on the night of Wednesday, June 28th after the Thunder and Menace play their second round match in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Kickoff for the Wizards' third round game on July 12th is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with gates opening to the Blue Valley Athletic Complex at 6:00 p.m. Ticket prices for the game are $10 for adults and $5 for children and all seating is general admission. Seating is limited at the facility so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early by visiting the Arrowhead Stadium Box Office or by calling the Wizards Office at 816-920-9300. Group tickets (20+ people) are available for advance purchase up to one-day prior to the game at the price of $7 per person. Tickets will also be sold the day of the game at the Blue Valley Athletic Complex starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Wizards return to the Blue Valley Athletic Complex for the first time since 2004, the year that they won the prestigious Dewar Trophy, a site where they are 3-1-0 all-time in U.S. Open Cup competition. Kansas City is a combined 7-3 in Open Cup competition since 2002, having advanced to at least the quarterfinals three out of the last four years.
About the U.S. Open Cup
The U.S. Open Cup is named after Kansas City Wizards owner Lamar Hunt and
dates back to 1914 as one of the oldest cup competitions in the world. The
tournament field is truly "open" to all affiliated amateur and professional
teams in the United States. The single-elimination tournament is very
similar to other domestic cup tournaments around the world. All teams in
the tournament field must qualify for their spots, with the early stages of
the tourney being open to local amateur teams, giving even the smallest
teams a chance at competing against the very best professional teams in the
United States. For more information on the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as
well as a complete tournament bracket, please visit www.usopencup.com.
