US Open Cup Quest Starts with Brooklyn on June 10th
May 28, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
North Carolina FC News Release
Cary, NC (Wednesday, May 28th, 2008) - The US Soccer Federation has announced the bracket for the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup today and the RailHawks will host the first match at WakeMed Soccer park against the PDL's 2007 Eastern Conference Champion Brooklyn Knights from New York on Tuesday June 10th at 7:30 PM.
Following their impressive run in the 2007 US Open Cup, The RailHawks have decided to offer their loyal fans a special "$10 ticket offer" with free parking. The match will be played on Field 2 at WakeMed Soccer Park and tickets ($10) will go on sale Friday, May 30th at 10:00 AM at the LGFCU Box Office, by calling 919-859-KICK (5425) or by visiting www.carolinarailhawks.com.
The Carolina RailHawks had a phenomenal tournament run in 2007, reaching the semifinals in their first-ever season after defeating the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer 1-0 and USL-2's Richmond Kickers1-0 as well as two amateur clubs, RWB Adria 4-1 and the Milwaukee Bavarians 4-0. They lost the semifinal 2-1, in double overtime, to the eventual US Open Cup Champion New England Revolution after 120 minutes of pure heartfelt soccer that saw them on top for the whole first half of the match.
"I know the Brooklyn Knights well, being from New Jersey," said RailHawks head coach Scott Schweitzer. "They will be a quality side with a few former professionals in their lineup. The will definitely be able to play a tough game."
The Brooklyn Knights are currently leading their Northeast division of the Eastern Conference in the PDL with 10 pts in five games played. In 2007 they won the Eastern Conference of the PDL making a serious play for the PDL Championship only to lose against the Michigan Bucks in penalty kicks in the National Semifinals.
"This will be a difficult match for us as we are a PDL team playing against a USL-1 team," said Brooklyn Knights head Coach Giuseppe Balsamo. "From what I know of the RailHawks they are a strong team who is still undefeated this season, skillful and physical. We have some good players who are tactically and technically disciplined and we look forward to playing against a more experienced team because of the exposure it will bring."
The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is one of the oldest tournaments of its kind in the World, second only to England's F.A. Cup. It allows amateur teams to measure up against professional teams in a competitive setting. RailHawks President and General Manager as well as Head Coach Scott Schweitzer won the coveted trophy in 1999 while with the Rochester Rhinos, the only team in the USL to have won the trophy since the "Pro Era" began in 1995 and Major League Soccer teams entered the tournament in 1996.
The Carolina RailHawks are on the road this Saturday, May 31st in Atlanta against the Silverbacks and, like all RailHawks away games, it can be seen on www.USLLive.com. Their next home game will be on Tuesday June 10th at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7:30 PM against the Brooklyn Knights in the first round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Carolina RailHawks Women's next home game will be Friday, June 7th at 7:30 PM at WakeMed Soccer Park as they host the Bradenton Athletics. Tickets for these events and all of Carolina RailHawks Men's and Women's events are available at the LGFCU Box Office, by calling 919-859-KICK or by visiting www.carolinarailhawks.com.
USL First Division Stories from May 28, 2008
- Whitecaps defeat Charleston away 2-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Sounders fall to Railhawks 2-1 - Seattle Sounders
- Battery loses to Whitecaps - Charleston Battery
- RailHawks Post Important Win against 2007 USL-1 Champion Seattle Sounders 2-1 - North Carolina FC
- First round Open Cup Match-up set - Seattle Sounders
- Lenarduzzi to recieve the 2008 Angelo Branca Sports Person of the Year Award - Vancouver Whitecaps
- RWB Adria Will Be Rhinos First Test at PAETEC Park - Rochester Rhinos
- Whitecaps Sign Schmidt and Talonen - Vancouver Whitecaps
- US Open Cup Quest Starts with Brooklyn on June 10th - North Carolina FC
- U.S. Soccer Unveils First-Round Pairings Wednesday - Portland Timbers
- Bass and McEachron Players of the Week - USL-1
- Battery Home Versus ASC New Stars in U.S. Open Cup First Round - Charleston Battery
- US Open Cup First Round set - USL-1
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.
