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Action Continues This Week With 'Champion v Champion', Intrastate and Border Battles

June 17, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK, NY (June 17, 2014) - Three more North American Soccer League (NASL) teams will take the field this week for Fourth Round action against MLS (Major League Soccer) opponents in their quest for the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (#NASLTheCup). The clubs aim to join Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks and New York Cosmos in the tournament's 'Round-of-16' following the NASL victories this past Saturday. The #NASLvMLS encounters will be highlighted by a 'Champion v Champion' match-up when recently crowned NASL Spring Season winner Minnesota United FC travels to Sporting Park to take on last year's MLS Cup winner, Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, June 18, at 7:30 pm CT (8:30 pm ET).

Minnesota, who finished atop of the NASL Spring Season Standings and claimed its first title since 2011, head into Wednesday's encounter against Kansas City with a 3-0-2 record at The Cup.

"We know we are playing against a team that has probably been the best team in North America in the last couple years," said United coach Manny Lagos, whose club will take on two-time MLS and U.S. Open Cup Winner, Sporting Kansas City. "We are excited about the challenge and we need to make sure we commit to the things we do well as a team and not really worry too much about what they have done in the past. They are a very good team and they play with a good tempo and pressing style.

"We have had a good week of training here after a bit of a break from our Spring Season and we are prepared for this game."

Prior to the 'Champion v Champion' match-up, the other NASL teams competing at the oldest cup completion in the country will kickoff tonight with a border battle and an intrastate encounter.

Indy Eleven will hit the road as they take on the Columbus Crew at University of Akron's First Energy Stadium 7:30 pm ET.

Indy, which is facing Columbus for the first time in a competitive match, is coming off a 5-2 victory over USL PRO's Dayton Dutch Lions in The Cup's Third Round action last month. Indy closed out its first NASL season with two consecutive draws at New York and Atlanta to end the Spring campaign.

Indy Eleven coach, Juergen Sommer looks forward to the match-up against the Crew: "The entire Indy Eleven organization and our fan base are beyond excited for the opportunity to matchup against Columbus. While we come in as the underdogs, we are confident in our ability to go toe-to-toe with The Crew for 90 minutes - and longer, if need be. In the last two road games at New York and Atlanta the guys showed great character and fight to bring a point back from each trip. More importantly, those results increased the collective confidence of the group, and we'll look to carry that over against The Crew."

Later on Tuesday evening, San Antonio Scorpions visit FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium at 8 pm CT (9 pm ET), in the first meeting between the these two intrastate rivals in the U.S. Open Cup.

Scorpions, who are making their third consecutive tournament appearance and have a 3-1-1 record, are playing their first away match in The Cup. San Antonio advanced to the Fourth Round after eliminating USASA's NTX Rayados, 4-2, at Toyota Field last month.

"The U.S. Open Cup is a special tournament and we would love to continue the success of our fellow NASL clubs from this past weekend," said Scorpions coach Alen Marcina, whose club is also looking for a berth to the Open Cup's 'Round-of-16.' "FC Dallas is a strong squad with great speed on the wings that presents a unique challenge, but we'll be ready."

Last Saturday, NASL teams went three-for-three in the #NASLvMLS matches as Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks and New York Cosmos advanced, moving one step closer to lifting the 101st edition of the U.S. Open Cup and qualifying as one of the four U.S. representatives to the CONCACAF Champions League.

A NASL-US Open Cup record crowd of 9,364 at Hofstra University's James M. Shuart witnessed the Cosmos shut out the visiting New York Red Bulls 3-0, behind a two-goal performance by forward Mads Stokkelien. Meanwhile, a last minute game-winner from Silverbacks forward Kwadwo Poku gave the hosts a 2-1 victory over last year's Open Cup Finalist, Real Salt Lake.

Rounding out last Saturday's encounters, RailHawks extend their unbeaten streak at WakeMed Soccer Park to 22 games by topping visiting CD Chivas USA, 3-2, on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw after regulation and two overtime periods.

Fourth Round winners of the U.S. Open Cup will progress to the Round-of-16 which is set for June 24-25. The tournament final is scheduled for September 30-October 1

In only their third year the NASL teams have outscored their opposition 79 to 51 in 39 total games while posting a 22-3-14 overall record along with 12 shutouts.

NASL @ 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Fourth Round Schedule/Results

Tuesday, June 17

Columbus Crew (MLS) vs. Indy Eleven

University of Akron's First Energy Stadium; Akron, Ohio 7:30 pm ET

FC Dallas (MLS) vs. San Antonio Scorpions

Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Tex. 8 pm CT (9 pm ET)

Wednesday, June 18

Sporting Kansas City (MLS) vs. Minnesota United FC

Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan. 7:30 pm CT (8:30 pm ET)

June 14

Carolina RailHawks 1 CD Chivas USA (MLS) 1, 3-2 pen - Complete Match Report

Atlanta Silverbacks 2 Real Salt Lake (MLS) 1 - Complete Match Report

New York Cosmos 3 New York Red Bulls (MLS) 0 - Complete Match Report

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North American Soccer League Stories from June 17, 2014


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