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Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Format and Dates Announced

April 24, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK (April 24, 2014) - The eight U.S. based clubs of the North American Soccer League will again pursue Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup glory and a potential berth in the CONCACAF Champions League when they enter the illustrious domestic competition at the Third Round stage in May.

The 101st edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will feature 80 teams, an increase from the then-record 68 that took the field last year. The expansion results in both the largest number of amateur teams (42) in the tournament proper-exceeding the previous record of 34 set last year-as well as the largest contingent of pro clubs (38, surpassing last year's record of 34), with all professional sides participating for the third consecutive year.

Played annually since 1914, The Cup is the oldest cup competition in the country and is a single elimination tournament open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States. The winner of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifies as one of the four United States teams for the CONCACAF Champions League.

In only two years of participation, the NASL teams have outscored their opposition 51 to 38 in 28 total games and for two consecutive tournaments. NASL clubs posted an overall 7-6 record in last year's competition with the Carolina RailHawks and Tampa Bay Rowdies making it to the fourth rounds and the RailHawks to the Quarterfinals where they fell to finalist Real Salt Lake.

NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson noted, "The NASL is anticipating another exciting U.S. Open Cup competition and winning the cup remains a priority for all our teams. The history and tradition of the third-oldest open soccer tournament in the world gets our fans energized as they support their clubs against teams from all Divisions of U.S. Soccer.

The Cup is a tremendous opportunity to promote U.S. Soccer and this great game and to experience the romance of a cup competition that creates giant-killing opportunities and nail-biting moments."

The NASL will have a record eight teams playing in the U.S. Open Cup. Clubs participating in the 101st edition are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, Indy Eleven, Minnesota United FC, New York Cosmos, San Antonio Scorpions and Tampa Bay Rowdies.

"Our club has always put a great deal of importance on the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup," said Carolina RailHawks coach Colin Clarke said. "Myself and our Team President both worked for Lamar Hunt and it means a little more that his name is on the Cup. It's one of the best competitions in the U.S. For the teams and most importantly the fans."

The NASL will enter The Cup in the Third Round, which will kickoff May 28 and feature the 24 Second Round winners and the eight NASL clubs. Each NASL team will be matched geographically to play the winner of a specific Second Round pairing. The winners of the 16 remaining Second Round matches not paired with a NASL clubs will play each other.

Fourth and Fifth Round games will be played in June during the NASL break for the FIFA World Cup and the final will be played September 30-October 1.

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North American Soccer League Stories from April 24, 2014


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