D.C. UNITED (MLS) vs. HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS (USL2)
Tues., July 7, Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, Md., 7:30 p.m. ET
HEAD-TO-HEAD: This is the second meeting all time between D.C. United and the Harrisburg City Islanders in the U.S. Open Cup - and the first provided a shock. ... In 2007, United were bounced from the U.S. Open Cup in their opening match, falling 1-0 to Harrisburg in Lancaster, Pa. Steve Fisher's header from a corner kick in the 44th minute was all that was needed to send United out at the first hurdle for the first time since 2002 and just the third time ever.
HARRISBURG: Matt Nelson; Ryan Pierce, Dustin Bixler, Tim Velten, Anthony Calvano; Chris Morman (Adam Clay 75), Brian Devlin, Mo Oduor (Mike Lookingland 78), David Schofield (Matt Tanzini 82); Brian Ombiji (Martin Johnson 68), Steve Fisher
UNITED: Jay Nolly; Marc Burch, Bobby Boswell (Devon McTavish 45), Domenic Mediate; Stephen deRoux, Brian Caroll (Josh Gros 45), Clyde Simms, Rod Dyachenko (Justin Moose 65), Jeff Carrolll; Brad North (Mira Mupier 58), Nicholas Addlery
D.C. UNITED
THIS YEAR IN THE OPEN CUP:
United continued defense of their U.S. Open Cup title with a 2-0 third-round victory June 30 against the PDL Ocean City Barons at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Christian Gomez finally calmed the home side's nerves by converting a 74th-minute penalty kick, then Ange N'Silu sealed the match with a stoppage time goal. ... Here's Soehn's team: Milos Kocic; Devon McTavish, Greg Janicki, Marc Burch; Brandon Barklage, John DiRaimondo (Christian Gomez 68), Ben Olsen (Chris Pontius 46), Andrew Jacobson, Anthony Wallace (Clyde Simms 75); Boyzzz Khumalo, Ange N'Silu. ... After finishing out of the MLS Cup Playoffs race last year, United had to come through MLS qualifying rounds to reach the tournament proper. In the second MLS play-in round at RFK Stadium, United defeated FC Dallas 2-0 (Fred 21, Barklage 66) ... Then in the third play-in round, United defeated the New York Red Bulls 5-3 in Washington in a wild game (Pontius 8, 52; Khumalo 18; Barklage 21; Fred 26 - Richards 44; Rojas 48, 61 pen).
OPEN CUP HISTORY: D.C. United won the Open Cup for the second time in club history - and first time since winning the "domestic double" in 1996 - defeating USL-1 Charleston Battery 2-1 in last year's final at RFK Stadium ... After the 1996 Open Cup Final victory against Rochester, United took on the then-Dallas Burn in the championship match the following season, in Indianapolis, losing 5-3 in a penalty shootout after the teams played to a scoreless draw over 120 minutes. ... United were in the semifinals three times in between, last in 2006. ... United lost in the final four in 2001 (New England Revolution), 2003 (MetroStars) and 2006 (Chicago Fire). ... In 2007, United went out at their first stage for the third time in club history, all to lower-division opposition. ... In addition to the loss to Harrisburg City Islanders in 2007, United lost to the Charleston Battery in extra time in 1999, and to the Richmond Kickers in 2004 (both A-League).
HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS
THIS YEAR IN THE OPEN CUP:
For the second time in three seasons, the City Islanders claimed an MLS prize in the third round, defeating the New England Revolution 2-1 in extra time in the third round at Veterans Stadium in New Britain, Conn. ... Jeff Larentowicz put the Revolution ahead on 38 minutes, but Mo Oduor leveled terms in the 67th minute. Geoff Bloes then hit for the winner in the 105th minute. ... The Revs made three changes - their only available field substitutions - when the game was delayed at halftime, then finished the game with eight men when Kheli Dube and Mike Videira were injured during the second half and Nico Colaluca was sent off during extra time. ... Here's the Harrisburg team: Chase Harrison; Geoff Bloes, Tim Velten, Nate Baker, Anthony Calvano, Nicki Patterson, Ty Shipalane, Mo Odour (David Schofield 71), Jason Pelletier (Cody Reinberg 106), Jay Fisher (Kai Kasiguran 98), Chad Severs ... The City Islanders defeated the PDL Reading Rage 4-1 in the first round (Steve Fisher 1; Ty Shipalane 42; Nicolas Patterson 49; Chad Severs 60 pen - Jon Ports 8), then advanced on penalty kicks (4-3 in the shootout) after playing to a scoreless draw against USL2 Western Mass. Pioneers in the second round.
IN THE OPEN CUP HISTORY: This is the fourth time the third-year USL2 club will meet an MLS team in the U.S. Open Cup, meeting the New England Revolution twice and now D.C. United twice. ... In 2007, the City Islanders defeated D.C. United 1-0 in a shock third-round result, then took the Revolution to the limit in the quarterfinals before losing 2-1.
FORM GUIDE: The City Islanders continue to lead the USL Second Division with 26 points from 13 matches after a dramatic 3-1 win against Crystal Palace Baltimore on Saturday. Ty Shipalane pulled Harrisburg level in the first half, then second-half substitution Brandon Swartzendruber scored in the 87th minute and stoppage time to give the City Islanders the win. Chad Severs has scored seven goals to lead Harrisburg, second in the USL Second Division lead.
WHAT'S NEXT: The winner of the United-Harrisburg match will meet the winner of all-USL quarterfinal between Rochester Rhinos (USL1) and Wilmington Hammerheads (USL). If D.C. United wins, they will play host to the semifinal on July 21 at the Maryland SoccerPlex; Harrisburg will travel to Rochester if they win, while playing host to Wilmington.
