Defending Open Cup Champs Host Kickers Tuesday
Published on June 27, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA - (Friday, June 27, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers are set to face the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup this Tuesday, July 1st. A potential home match with the New York Red Bulls (MLS) is the prize for advancing to the Quarterfinal round. Tuesday's match marks the first time the Kickers have faced the New England Revolution with kickoff slated for 7:00 pm at Veterans Stadium in New Britain, CT.
The Kickers claimed the U.S. Open Cup title the first year of the "Professional Era" in 1995 and have since made it to the quarterfinal round four times (1995, 2001, 2004, 2007), ousting three Major League Soccer teams along the way (Colorado Rapids 2000, DC United 2004, LA Galaxy 2007).
The Revolution currently reside at the top of the MLS table with a record of 8-4-4 and 27 points, leading the Eastern Conference by four points. They recently posted a seven-game unbeaten streak during regular season action, having just suffered their first loss since May 3rd to Real Salt Lake last weekend. New England claimed their first-ever championship last season after ousting the Carolina RailHawks (USL-1), 2-1 in overtime during the US Open Cup semifinal round before downing MLS rival FC Dallas 3-2 in the final. Two-time MLS Cup Finalists, the Revolution narrowly missed taking the "Double" last season, consecutively dropping a slim margin to the Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007.
The Revolution have Richmond ties as their roster boasts former Richmond Kickers Future (PDL) forward Adam Cristman. In his second season with the Revolution, the former Richmond Strikers and University of Virginia standout currently leads the Revolution attack with four goals. He was one of three finalists for the 2007 MLS Gatorade Rookie of the Year Award, finishing second in MLS rookie goal-scorer during his first professional season. Cristman led the Richmond Kickers Future in scoring during the 2004 PDL campaign, notching 11 goals and four assists in 11 games played.
Additionally, former Richmond Kickers forward Rob Ukrop holds the distinction of notching the first two goals in New England Revolution history. Drafted by the Revolution during the club's inaugural campaign in 1996, Ukrop returned to Richmond mid-season where he spent a total of 11 seasons in a Kickers uniform before retiring from professional soccer following the 2004 campaign.
New England must first play host to Toronto FC this Saturday, June 28th before the Kickers come to town. The Revolution were undefeated against Toronto last season, netting nine goals against Toronto during their first season in 2007. Meanwhile, the Richmond Kickers will play three games in four days, traveling to play the Cleveland City Stars and Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday and Sunday, respectively before the big MLS match-up. The Kickers will continue their six-game road stretch with a trip to Maryland and Bermuda upon their return from New England the following weekend.
The Kickers received an automatic berth into this year's tournament as the defending USL-2 Regular Season Champions and then cruised by the Fredericksburg Gunners on June 10th with a 3-0, First Round victory. Most recently, the Kickers ousted the Western Mass Pioneers in a hard-fought, 2-1 road win last Tuesday. The Revolution begin their defense of the title, entering the tournament in the Third Round, alongside seven other MLS teams.
In total, forty teams participate in this year's tournament, with eight entries per league across Major League Soccer, USL First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League (PDL) and United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The 2008 tournament marks the first time each league will have the same number of teams participating.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 27, 2008
- Lady Eagles Top Railhawks 1-0 - Charlotte Eagles
- City Stars Host Richmond Saturday During University Hospitals And Kids Night - Cleveland City Stars
- Defending Open Cup Champs Host Kickers Tuesday - Richmond Kickers
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