USL-1 North Carolina FC

Carolina RailHawks Host Chicago Fire in US Open Cup

Published on July 11, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
North Carolina FC News Release


Only two days after their match against the Montreal Impact, the Carolina RailHawks return to the field at SAS Soccer Park to continue their pursuit of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

On Sunday July 15th at 7:30 PM, the RailHawks will host the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer in the third round of the tournament. The RailHawks reach the match after beating Bavarian SC 4-0 on June 26th and RWB Adria 4-1 on June 12th. The match will be the Chicago Fire's first in this year's cup. They are the current US Open Cup champions having defeated the LA Galaxy in last year's final 3-1. Overall the Chicago Fire have won four out of the five finals they have been in.

"Scott Schweitzer has done a good job as far getting some good players in there and trying to play the game the right way," said Chicago Fire interim coach Denis Hamlett. "It's going to be a very good environment going down there and playing them. I think they're probably going to have a packed house. He knows what it's like to play against MLS teams because I think he was there with Rochester when they beat the Fire a few years back. We're expecting them to come out and give us a real good challenge and it should be a good game in front of a full house."

After beating Chivas USA 2-0 on May 8, the RailHawks will look to pull off their second upset over a squad from the MLS. Though the team should not be lacking in motivation, the opportunity to eliminate the defending US Open Cup Champion should be inviting. The Fire took out the Kansas City Wizards, the New England Revolution, DC United, and the LA Galaxy in their run through the tournament last season.

"This is a great opportunity for our players to show how well they can play against MLS teams and for our fans to see true talent of our players," said Carolina RailHawks head coach Scott Schweitzer. "It is also an opportunity for our players to showcase their skills in they event they would like to move on to the next level either in the US or in Europe."

Chicago is led by US International midfielder Justin Mapp and by Honduran star Ivan Guerrero. The Fire also feature former United States international midfielders Chris Armas (captain) and former UNC - Chapel Hill star and North Carolina native Logan Pause.

If the RailHawks find a way to defeat another MLS side, the next opponent in the quarter finals will be the Richmond Kickers who beat Landon Donovan's LA Galaxy 1-0 on Tuesday July 10th. The RailHawks have some unfinished business with the Kickers having lost against them in pre season in Richmond. The quarter final match would be at SAS Soccer Park on August 7th.

Tickets for all remaining RailHawks soccer matches at SAS Soccer Park including Sunday, July 15th versus the Chicago Fire and Wednesday, July 25th versus Cruz Azul are available at the SAS Soccer Park Box Office, all ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, www.carolinarailhawks.com or charge by phone at (919) 834-4000. Group discounts for purchases of 10 or more tickets are available by contacting the RailHawks ticket office at (919) 854-5425. Please note there are no group ticket rates for the Cruz Azul match.

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USL First Division Stories from July 11, 2007


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