USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers One Win Away from D.C. United Match-Up

Published on May 15, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, May 15, 2013) - The Richmond Kickers will enter the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the Second Round on Tuesday, May 21 when they host Icon FC of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA) at City Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com. Should the Kickers advance past Icon, they will host their official Major League Soccer affiliate, D.C. United, on Tuesday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m.

In their first-ever US Open Cup appearance, Icon FC defeated the 1979 and 1991 US Open Cup Champions Brooklyn Italians (NPSL), 4-1, in the First Round Tuesday night. Outshooting their opponent 19-7, Icon FC advanced on the strength of a hat trick by Argjent Duka, brother of Chicago Fire forward Dilly Duka. Icon FC qualified for this year's tournament after claiming the New Jersey Open Cup and USASA Region I Tournament titles.

Should the Kickers advance past Icon FC, they will face D.C. United for the 12th time in franchise history. Richmond last hosted United in the U.S. Open Cup on May 29, 2012 when the MLS side edged the Kickers 2-1 in overtime to tip the 5-4-1 all-time series record slightly in their favor. The clubs met four times previously in the U.S. Open Cup, including a 2004 upset when the Kickers ousted the black-and-red, 2-1, in the Third Round at City Stadium.

Earlier this year, the Kickers and D.C. United mutually announced a landmark affiliation agreement, which has delivered five first team MLS players to Richmond on season-long loans. In conjunction with the groundbreaking deal between MLS and USL PRO, additional technical and commercial initiatives are expected to be announced in the coming months.

The 2013 season marks the 15th time the Richmond Kickers have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup over the past 21 seasons, posting an overall record of 24-13 during tournament play. 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 five times (1995, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011) and the semifinal round twice (1995, 2011). Ousting five Major League Soccer teams along the way, including Colorado Rapids in 2000, D.C. United in 2004, LA Galaxy in 2007 and Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City in 2011, the Kickers became the first lower division team to defeat back-to-back MLS teams on the road. With 82 total goals scored during the Open Cup, the Kickers have set several franchise records, as well as a Professional Era U.S. Open Cup record for most goals (12) during the 8-4 rout over the Ocean City Barons in 2005 and Kickers midfielder David Bulow is the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 14 goals.

About the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup The largest field of teams (68) and a significant increase in prize money highlight the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The amount of prize money distributed will also see a substantial increase, with the overall champion earning a total of $250,000 (up from $100,000 in recent years). The tournament runner-up will receive $60,000 (up from $50,000) and the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will win $15,000 (up from $10,000). Home teams throughout the entire tournament will be determined by random selection.

The U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament, crowning a champion for 99 consecutive years beginning in 1914. Every winning team's name is engraved on the base of the Dewar Challenge Trophy, which dates to the first year of the tournament and currently resides at U.S. Soccer House in Chicago.

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