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USL-1 Richmond Kickers

Kickers Host Chicago Fire, Open Cup Hopes On The Line

August 3, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, August 3, 2004) – The Richmond Kickers will welcome the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer on Wednesday, August 4th at the University of Richmond Stadium at 7:00 p.m. in this year's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal match. The first 2,000 fans through the gate will receive a photo frame magnet courtesy of Kraft Foods.

The winner of this single-elimination match will advance to the semi-finals on Wednesday, August 25th, facing the winner of the Rochester Raging Rhinos/Charleston Battery Quarterfinal match, one step closer to having their name added to the Dewar Trophy. Should the Kickers defeat the Fire, coupled with a Charleston victory over Rochester, Richmond will host the Battery in the Semi-Final round at the University of Richmond Stadium on August 25th.

"We welcome MLS opponents and recognize that it is very rare for lightning to strike twice," says Richmond Kickers head coach Leigh Cowlishaw. "However, as our team has shown throughout the season, the Kickers will also perform to their potential."

The Fire and Kickers will be squaring off for the first time when they meet in Wednesday's quarterfinals. While they might not match the Fire's success in the tournament, the Kickers will be looking for multiple titles of their own after winning the 1995 U.S. Open Cup crown. The Fire have dominated since entering the U.S. Open Cup in 1998, collecting three titles (1998, 2000, 2003) and a 16-3-1 record, making them the most successful MLS team in the history of the tournament and the only top-flight squad to lift the Dewar Cup trophy on multiple occasions. The Fire's three championships mark the latest of the eight U.S. Open Cup titles brought back by teams based in the Windy City in the 90 years of the competition.

Richmond dismissed the Cape Cod Crusaders (PDL) in the Third Round of the tournament followed by a stunning 2-1 win over D.C. United (MLS) in the Fourth Round. The Kickers join three A-League teams (Rochester, Charleston, Minnesota) and four Major League Soccer teams in the Quarterfinal round, marking the first time four teams from the United Soccer Leagues have qualified for the Open Cup quarterfinals since the inception of Major League Soccer in 1996. Unable to qualify for the Open Cup tournament in 2003, last week's victory is the farthest the Kickers have advanced since 2001 when they were defeated by D.C. United 2-1 at RFK Stadium in the quarterfinals. The Kickers won the Open Cup Championship in 1995.

Players To Watch

Kickers: 2003 Kickers leading scorer Kevin Jeffrey has tallied four goals in the past three matches, including two goals in last weekend's match in Atlanta. A three-way tie for this year's Kickers leading goal scorer exists between three former VCU standouts including Jeffrey and rookies Matthew Delicate and McColm Cephas, each with seven goals. Overall, Cephas has earned nine goals, including two in the Kickers victory over D.C. United in the Fourth Round of the Open Cup.

Fire: The offensive Jamaican connection, Damani Ralph and Andy Williams continue to dominate on the field, as Ralph leads the Fire in goals (8) and points (18). A member of the Jamaican National team since 1997, Williams has recorded eight goals in 65 appearances with the "Reggae Boyz." Considered the nation's premier defensive midfielder, U.S. National team standout Chris Armas is in his seventh season with the Fire. He has tallied one goal and five assists for seven points this season.

Playoff Race Commences

Merely seven points separate the top five teams in the A-League at this point this season, with the Richmond Kickers (13-7-3, 42 points) residing in second place in the standings. The Kickers trail the first place Montreal Impact (14-4-4, 43 points) by one point and lead third-ranked Rochester (13-8-1, 40 points) by two points. The Atlanta Silverbacks (12-6-2, 38 points) currently hold down fourth place, whereas fifth-ranked Syracuse (11-7-3, 36 points) is not far behind and battling for a playoff spot with 36 points.

The Kickers will resume A-League play on Friday, August 6, 2004 when they travel to the Charleston Battery and will return to the University of Richmond Stadium to face the Atlanta Silverbacks on Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

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