Storm's Armstrong advances to U.S. Open Cup Finals
August 12, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - It was a guarantee for a United Soccer Leagues First Division team to advance to the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship. On Tuesday night, the USL-1's Charleston Battery, which includes Chicago Storm forward Stephen Armstrong, advanced to their first-ever Open Cup final.
Armstrong contributed a penalty kick and Charleston went on to clip USL-1's Seattle Sounders, 4-3, in PKs during their semifinal match at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. Seattle and Charleston played to a 1-1 draw through regulation.
The Battery advance to the finals against Major League Soccer's D.C. United. D.C. defeated the New England Revolution, 3-1, during Tuesday's other semifinal match. The Battery visit D.C. United in the title match on Wednesday, Sept. 3, and it will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel. Game time is at 6:30 p.m. (CST) at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Armstrong, who completed his second season with the Storm in 2007-2008, was the first penalty kick taker Tuesday. He gave Charleston a 1-0 lead, striking the ball past Seattle goalkeeper Chris Eylander.
Armstrong nearly notched a go-ahead assist in the first period of overtime for Charleston. Armstrong took a free kick, but the header by Ian Fuller went wide left. Some uproar arose from the Blackbaud crowd, but the ball hit the outside of the netting.
The U.S. Open Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation's National Championship, is an annual event that is open to all professional and amateur soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. It is the oldest annual team tournament in U.S. sports history. In 1999, the competition was renamed to honor long-time soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.
The Chicago Storm wrapped up their 2007-2008 season in the Major Indoor Soccer League. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call 1-866-STORM-81, or visit www.ChicagoStorm.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from August 12, 2008
- Storm's Armstrong advances to U.S. Open Cup Finals - Chicago Storm
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.
Other Recent Chicago Storm Stories
