Trio of Storm players advances to second-round matches on June 24
June 13, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - With the first round of the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup complete, the tournament gears up for a series of second-round matches on Tuesday, June 24. Three members of the Chicago Storm roster are in competition:
The winner of the United Soccer League Second Division's Richmond Kickers and USL-2's Western Massachusetts Pioneers faces Major League Soccer's New England Revolution on July 1. The Storm's Ian Bennett joined the Kickers several games into their season. Richmond advanced by topping the Fredericksburg Gunners, 3-0. Richmond last won the U.S. Open Cup in 1995 when the squad was part of the USISL Premier League. New England is the defending U.S. Open Cup champion.
The winner of the United Soccer League First Division's Charleston Battery and USL-2's Charleston Eagles hosts the MLS's Houston Dynamo on July 1. The Storm's Stephen Armstrong plays for the Battery. The Battery advanced after defeating the ASC New Stars, 3-0. Armstrong was a member of MLS's Kansas City Wizards organization in 2004. K.C. won the U.S. Open Cup that year, but Armstrong missed the entire season because of an injury.
The winner of the USL-1's Rochester Rhinos and USL-2's Pittsburgh Riverhounds takes on MLS's D.C. United on July 1 at Maryland SoccerPlex. Veteran USL and indoor midfielder John Ball of the Storm is a member of the Rhinos squad. The Rhinos needed overtime to defeat RWB Adria of Chicago, 2-1, in the first round of this year's Cup. Rochester last won the U.S. Open Cup in 1999. The Rhinos were U.S. Open Cup runners-up in 1995 to D.C. United.
The Rochester-RWB Adria first-round matchup had some local Storm flavor aside from Ball. RWB Adria's Awadalla Morad, formerly of the Storm, scored the game-tying goal that forced extra time against Rochester. RWB Adria's roster also featured current Storm goalkeeper Jeff Richey and a host of other indoor standouts such as the Detroit Ignition's Jamar Beasley and the Milwaukee Wave's Greg Howes and Marcio Leite.
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.
2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule:
June 24: Second round
July 1: Third round
July 8: Quarterfinals
Aug. 12: Semifinals
Aug. 26: Final
The Chicago Storm wrapped up their 2007-08 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 (866) STORM-81, or visit www.ChicagoStorm.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from June 13, 2008
- Ironmen Partner With Lakewood Blue Claws For Soccer Night - New Jersey Ironmen
- Trio of Storm players advances to second-round matches on June 24 - Chicago Storm
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