Kansas City Wizards Take on Seattle Sounders Tonight in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal Match
Published on July 8, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
July 8, 2008) - The Kansas City Wizards are in Seattle for an Open Cup quarterfinal match-up against the Seattle Sounders of the United Soccer Leagues' First Division. USL-1 is the second tier of professional soccer in the United States. Kansas City defeated USL-1 side Carolina RailHawks last Tuesday 4-2 in extra time to advance to tonight's contest against Seattle. Tonight's game at Qwest Field will kickoff at 9 p.m. CT. Video will be available live online via www.kcwizards.com.
If the Wizards win Tuesday, they will face either FC Dallas (MLS) or Charleston Batter (USL-1) on Tuesday, August 12 in the Open Cup semifinals. No matter the opponent, Kansas City would be the road team at midweek following a home game Saturday, August 9 versus Chivas USA. The 2008 Open Cup championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26.
Kansas City and Seattle have met once previously in Open Cup competition, with the Wizards earning a 4-0 victory in a 2001 home match. The Wizards hosted the Sounders last season in a preseason game, defeating Seattle 3-2 at the Blue Valley District Activities Complex in Overland Park, Kan. The Wizards have never traveled to Seattle for a competitive match. Twelve Sounders players who suited up for last season's preseason match are still on Seattle's roster. Also on the roster are former Wizards defender Taylor Graham and Youssouf Kante, a midfielder who attended Kansas City's open tryout in February.
Kansas City will return to Seattle on a yearly basis beginning next season, as Seattle Sounders FC will join MLS as an expansion franchise next year. Current USL-1 Sounders own Adrian Hanauer will be a minority owner and serve as the General Manager for the MLS team. Former Wizards player and Assistant Coach Chris Henderson, a native of Edmonds, Wash., is the Technical Director for Sounders FC. Sebastian LeToux, forward for the USL-1 Sounders, has already been signed as the first player for Seattle Sounders FC of MLS.
Before defeating the Carolina RailHawks last Tuesday, the Wizards had not participated in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup proper since 2006. Kansas City is 10-9 all-time in U.S. Open Cup play and won the tournament in 2004. The Wizards defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 in the 2004 final at Arrowhead Stadium on a stoppage-time free-kick goal from forward Igor Simutenkov.
The U.S. Open Cup has existed for more than 80 years and incorporates American soccer clubs of every level - ranging from Major League Soccer pro teams to the amateur leagues. The annual event, which began in 1914, also ranks among the oldest cup competitions in the world. The single-elimination tournament was born as the National Challenge Cup, and was modeled after England's Football Association Cup.
Major League Soccer Stories from July 8, 2008
- Fire drop 2-1 decision - Chicago Fire FC
- NE advances on penalty kicks, 5-3 - New England Revolution
- MLS All-Star announcement to be made Thursday - Toronto FC
- Real Salt Lake Weekly Update - Real Salt Lake
- Chivas USA's Jorge Flores sidelined with ankle injury - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Crew Weekly News & Notes - Columbus Crew SC
- D.C. United updates television broadcast schedule - D.C. United
- Kansas City Wizards Take on Seattle Sounders Tonight in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal Match - Sporting Kansas City
- Real Salt Lake Chooses Veritix as Long-Term Ticketing Services Partner - Real Salt Lake
- D.C. United's Ben Olsen undergoes successful surgery - D.C. United
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
