Miami FC to play El Paso Patriots in First Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament
May 31, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, May 31, 2007- Miami FC begins first round action of the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament Tuesday, June 12, at 7:30 pm playing at Patriots Stadium in El Paso, Texas. Miami FC is set to play the El Paso Patriots of the Premier Division League (PDL). The tournament features 40 teams ranging from professional USL-1 and MLS to amateur teams.
El Paso qualified for the tournament after a 2-2 draw against the DFW Tornadoes. El Paso is 3-2-2 on the season. All of the Patriots players hail from both El Paso, Texas, and Mexico. They are led by forward Victor Omar Mora-Gomez who has two goals and one assist on the season.
The first round of the Open Cup feature professional teams versus amateur teams. The winners of the first round meet in the second round. Those who survive the second round meet one of eight MLS teams in the third round. The teams play each round in a single elimination format.
The last two undefeated teams in the tournament will play Tuesday, October 2, for the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championship. The winners of the tournament receive $100,000 and the Dewar Cup. The amateur team to advance the farthest receives $10,000.
The following list highlights the changes made for the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament:
- The total number of teams participating in the Tournament proper has been lowered from 42 to 40, with participation by Division changing as follows: Division I (MLS) from 12 to 8; Division II (USL1) from 8 to 9; and Division III (USL2) from 6 to 7. The number of places (16) allocated to the Amateur Division remains unchanged (8 to PDL and 8 to USASA qualifiers).
- The Tournament bracketing has been restructured to allow the competition to be completed in six rounds rather than eight. All Division II, Division III and Amateur Division teams will enter in the
First Round, with the eight Division I clubs entering in the Third Round.
- The method for determining First Round pairings for 2007 has changed from a geographic model to a blind draw within each of four geographic groupings.
*Tomorrow Miami FC faces the Rochester Rhinos, at 8 PM, at Tropical Park Stadium.
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USL First Division Stories from May 31, 2007
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- Miami FC to play El Paso Patriots in First Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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