16 teams will battle on Tuesday night for the right to face Major League Soccer clubs. A few of the games will be broadcast online, but we’ll have updates from all eight games on the live blog that begins at 6:30 p.m.
Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2)
7 p.m. ET – Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog
Long Island Rough Riders
Founded: 1994
Location: South Huntington, New York
Head Coach: Paul Roderick
Record: 4-1-2 14 Pts., 11 GF 4 GA, 3rd in PDL Northeast Division
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (TTWL)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Ben Arikian and Luke Magill, 2
Assists: Ben Arikian and Michael Todd, 2
Goalkeeping: Guillermo Gatti, 483 Min., 0.55 GAA
Open Cup History: Most of the Rough Riders Open Cup participation came when they were a professional club, as they have qualified only one other time as a PDL team. Of their three Pro appearances, their biggest splash came in 1997 when they reached the Quarterfinals after a 4-3 extra time win over the New England Revolution.
Harrisburg City Islanders
Founded: 2004
Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Head Coach: Bill Becher
Record: 1-6-4 7 pts. 10 GF 18 GA, 6th in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 0-3-1 in last four games (TTLT)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Jason Hotchkin, Sheanon Williams and Nicholas Zimmerman, 2
Assists: Jason Hotchkin, 2
Goalkeeping: Daniel Cepero, 720 Min. 1.62 GAA
Open Cup History: Harrisburg has made three appearances in the U.S. Open Cup, and has reached the Quarterfinals twice. In 2007 they upset D.C. United 1-0 in the third round before falling to the New England Revolution 2-1 in the quarters. In 2009 it was New England on end of a 2-1 loss to the City Islanders, who fell to D.C. in the Quarterfinals by the same score.
Harrisburg’s once porous defense has clamped down a bit over the past month. The team gave up 14 goals in their first six games, but only five in their last five USL-2 contests. Harrisburg has the worst record of all the remaining USL clubs. However, twice in recent years, the Minnesota Thunder (2005) and Charleston Battery (2007) had deep runs in the Open Cup despite finishing the season with single digit wins.
Outside of putting six goals in against Vermont early in the PDL season, Long Island’s offense has been slender, as they have scored only five goals in the other six games. The fact that they have allowed only four goals all season explains their 6-1-0 record.
Did You Know?
Both teams own an Open Cup win against MLS teams. Harrisburg defeated D.C. United 1-0 in the third round in 2007, while Long Island beat the New England Revolution in extra time 4-3 in 1997’s third round.
Third Round Hosting Possibilities
Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) at New York Red Bulls (MLS)
8 p.m. ET – Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.
New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2)
7 p.m. ET – Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa.
—————————————————————————-
Real Maryland FC Monarchs (USL-2) at Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
7 p.m. ET – University of Richmond Stadium; Richmond, Virginia
Broadcast: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog
Real Maryland Monarchs
Founded: 2008
Location: Rockville, Maryland
Head Coach: Anthony Hudson
Record: 3-3-5 14 Pts. 10 GF 9 GA, 3rd in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 1-0-3 in last four games (TTTW)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Jamie Darvill, Benjamin Hunter and Alan Sanchez, 2
Assists: Nicholas Paterson, 3
Goalkeeping: Brian Levey, 990 Min. 0.81 GAA
Open Cup History: The Monarchs have not had much success in the Open Cup in their two appearances. Both times they got past their USASA opponents by the slimmest of margins, a 3-2 overtime win vs. New York Pancyprian Freedoms in 2008, and a storm shortened 1-0 win over Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks in 2009. Both times their tournament run ended in the next round, both 1-0 losses, to the Carolina RailHawks (USL-1) in 2008 and in overtime to the Ocean City Nor’easters (then known as the Ocean City Barons) last year.
Richmond Kickers
Founded: 1993
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Head Coach: Leigh Cowlishaw
Record: 5-3-3 18 pts. 16 GF 14 GA, 2nd in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 3-1-0 in last four games (LWWW)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Matthew Delicate, 9
Assists: Mike Burke, 4
Goalkeeping: Ronnie Pascale, 900 Min. 1.10 GAA
Open Cup History: The Kickers were the first Open Cup champions of the Professional Era, defeating the El Paso Patriots on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 1995. Since then, their best success has been a pair of Quarterfinal appearances in 2004 and 2007.
Maryland and Richmond have played three times this season, with the Kickers winning two games (1-0, 2-0), and the third ending in a 1-1 draw. Kickers players scored all of the goals, as Maryland’s lone score was a Richmond own goal. Maryland has beaten Richmond just once in seven all-time meetings. The lone win came on June 13, 2009 when they defeated them 1-0.
Richmond’s veteran forward Matthew Delicate leads the USL Second Division with nine goals scored. He’ll be hard pressed to breach the Monarchs net, they have allowed only nine goals in eleven games, the fewest in the USL-2.
Did You Know?
Kickers head coach Leigh Cowlishaw had a goal and an assist for the Kickers in their first-ever US Open Cup game, a 6-1 win over Spartans SC on July 2, 1995.
Third Round Hosting Possibilities
Richmond Kickers (USL-2)/Real Maryland FC Monarchs (USL-2) Winner at D.C. United (MLS)
7:30 p.m. ET – George Mason Stadium; Fairfax, Va. (on June 30)
—————————————————————————-
Carolina RailHawks (USSF D-2) at Charleston Battery (USL-2)
7:30 p.m. ET – Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, South Carolina
Video: USLLive.com | Radio: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog
Carolina RailHawks
Founded: 2006
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Head Coach: Martin Rennie
Record: 3-2-5 14 Pts. 12 GF 9 GA, 4th in USSF D2 NASL Conference
Recent League Form: 1-0-3 in last four games (WTTT)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Etienne Barbara, 5
Assists: Etienne Barbara, Cory Elenio, Josh Gardner and David Hayes, 1
Goalkeeping: Eric Reed, 720 Min., 0.75 GAA
Open Cup History: Carolina reached the semifinals in their initial effort in 2007, but since then, their success has gradually decreased in 2008 (third round) and 2009 (second round)
Charleston Battery
Founded: 1993
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Head Coach: Michael Anhaeuser
Record: 7-2-3 24 pts. 24 GF 17 GA, 1st in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (TTLW)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Lamar Neagle, 8
Assists: Kevin Jackson, Tommy Heinemann, Alioune Gueye, 2
Goalkeeping: Timothy Melia, 810 Min., 1.44 GAA
Open Cup History: Behind the Rochester Rhinos, Charleston may be the most famous USL club in the Open Cup. The team has made one finals appearance (2008), two semifinal appearances (1999 & 2004), and has claimed the scalps of six MLS teams.
The Charleston Battery, with just a 7-2-3 record, is threatening to run away with the USL-2 lead. However, that is due more to the rest of the league failing to find any consistent results. While Charleston is averaging two goals a game, they have also allowed at least one goal in all but one of their 12 league games. In contrast, of Carolina’s nine league matches, only twice have more than three goals been scored between the RailHawks and their opponents.
Four Charleston players (Neagle, Heinemann, Nunes and Mayard) occupy four of the top 10 spots on the USL-2 goal scoring leaders list. Charleston, a longtime USL-1 team, dropped to USL-2 in the midst of the USL/NASL conflict over the winter.
If the match ends 1-1, it’s won’t be a surprise for Carolina. Five of their ten games have ended in 1-1 draws.
Did You Know?
This is the fourth time teams from North and South Carolina have met in the Pro Era of the Open Cup. Charleston has represented South Carolina each time, and has yet to lose.
1999
2r – Charleston Battery (A-League) v. Wilmington Hammerheads (D3 Pro), 2-1
2004
3r – Charleston Battery (USL-1) v. Wilmington Hammerheads (PSL), 2-0
2008
2r – Charleston Battery (USL-1) v. Charlotte Eagles (USL-2), 2-1
Third Round Hosting Possibilities
Carolina RailHawks (USSF D-2)/Charleston Battery (USL-2) Winner at Chicago Fire (MLS)
8:30 p.m. ET -Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
—————————————————————————-
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2) at Rochester Rhinos (USSF D-2)
7:05 p.m. ET – Marina Auto Stadium; Rochester, New York
Video: Rochester | Radio: Rochester | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Founded: 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Head Coach: Justin Evans
Record: 2-3-5 11pts. 13 GF 12 GA, 5th in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (LWTT)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Alex Weekes, 3
Assists: Matthew Baker, Thomas Gray, Lee Kouadio Tobey and Chad Severs, 2
Goalkeeping: Richard Gilstrap, 720 Min. 1.23 GAA
Open Cup History: Only two of Pittsburgh’s seven Cup attempts have seen them progress past their opening game. One of those resulted in a spot in the Quarterfinals in 2001, after they defeated the Colorado Rapids in the second round, and lost to the Chicago Fire in the Quarterfinals in extra time, 3-2.
Rochester Rhinos
Founded: 1996
Location: Rochester, New York
Head Coach: Bob Lilley
Record: 5-3-4 19 Pts. 14 GF 11 GA, 3rd in USSF D2 USL Conference
Recent League Form: 2-0-2 in last four games (WTWT)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Anthony Hamilton, 3
Assists: Andrew Hoxie and Tyler Rosenlund, 2
Goalkeeping: Scott Vallow 720 Min. 0.87 GAA
Open Cup History: Champions in 1999, runners up in 1996, the Rhinos are the most successful USL club in the Open Cup. It’s almost a given that the Rhinos will face at least one MLS club in each tournament. Only once (2001) have they exited after a single game.
This is the third year in a row these teams have met in Open Cup play. In 2008, Rochester walked away with a 3-0 win. 2009’s contest was a bit more dramatic, as the Rhinos needed a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to eliminate the Riverhounds.
Did You Know?
Current Rhinos manager Bob Lilley was the manager of the only team to knock the Rhinos out of the Open Cup after a single game. In 2001, the Lilley led Hershey Wildcats knocked off the Rhinos 1-0 in the second round, the opening game for each team in that year’s tournament.
Third Round Hosting Possibilities
Rochester Rhinos (USSF D2)/Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2) Winner at Columbus Crew (MLS)
7:30 p.m. ET – Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
—————————————————————————-
AC St. Louis (USSF D-2) at NSC Minnesota Stars (USSF D-2)
8 p.m. ET – National Sports Center; Blaine, Minnesota
Broadcast: TBA | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog
AC St. Louis
Founded: 2009
Location: Fenton, Missouri
Head Coach: 2009
Record: 2-7-1 7 Pts. 7 GF 17 GA, 6th in USSF D2 NASL Conference
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (TWWL)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Mike Ambersley, 2
Assists: Dillon Barna, Jefferson De Lima, Luke Kreamalmeyer and Tim Velten, 1
Goalkeeping: Alec Duffy, 900 Min., 1.70 GAA
Open Cup History: AC St. Louis is making their debut in the US Open Cup
NSC Minnesota Stars
Founded: 2009
Location: Blaine, Minnesota
Head Coach: Manny Lagos
Record: 5-8-2 17 Pts. 12 GF 21 GA, 4th in USSF D-2 USL Conference
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (TWW-)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Neil Hladaty, 3
Assists: Simone Bracalello and Brian Cvilikas, 2
Goalkeeping: Joe Warren, 1,215 Min. 1.68 GAA
Open Cup History: The NSC Minnesota Stars are making their U.S. Open Cup debut.
The two clubs have met once in the young USSF Division 2 season. On May 29, Minnesota came away with a 3-2 win on substitute Neil Hlavaty’s goal in the 87th minute. The game also marked St. Louis’ biggest offensive outburst of the year, with Jefferson De Lima and Luke Kreamalmayer scoring two of St. Louis’ seven goals on the year. This game could very well resemble the May 29 contest, as Minnesota and St. Louis have the worst defense in the league. The Stars have allowed a league-high 19 goals through 14 games, and the St. Louis net has been breached 17 times in 10 games.
After staring the season 0-4-1, Minnesota has run off a four match unbeaten streak (3-0-1). St. Louis hasn’t been so lucky, with their only two wins coming at the expense of the two teams (Puerto Rico and CP Baltimore) just above them at the bottom of the standings.
Did You Know?
US Open Cup semifinals and finals from 1984 to 1989 were played at the Anheuser-Busch Center (then known as St. Louis Soccer Park), the current home of AC St. Louis. This was when the USASA was in charge of running the tournament, and would hold the semifinals and finals of all their cups over a weekend at one location, as it does today.
Third Round Hosting Possibilities
Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) at NSC Minnesota Stars (USSF D-2)
8 p.m. ET – National Sports Center; Blaine, Minnesota
AC St. Louis (USSF D-2) at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
10:30 p.m. ET – The Home Depot Center; Carson, Calif.
—————————————————————————-
FC Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSF D-2) at Miami FC (USSF D-2)
7:30 p.m. ET – Lockhart Stadium; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Broadcast: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog
FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
Founded: 2009
Location: Tampa, Florida
Head Coach: Paul Dalglish
Record: 5-4-3 18 Pts. 18 GF 14 GA, 2nd in USSF D2 USL Conference
Recent League Form: 2-2-0 in last four games (WWLL)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Aaron King and Aaron Wheeler, 4
Assists: Long Tan, 2
Goalkeeping: Daryl Sattler, 900 Min. 1.00 GAA
Open Cup History: FC Tampa Bay Rowdies are making their US Open Cup debut.
Miami FC
Founded: 2006
Location: Miami, Florida
Head Coach: Victor Pastora
Record: 2-3-7 13 Pts. 14 GF 18 GA, 4th in USSF D2 NASL Conference
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (TTWL)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Paulo Araujo, Jr. and Christian Gomez, 4
Assists: Christian Gomez, 3
Goalkeeping: Caleb Patterson 991 Min. 1.63 GAA
Open Cup History: Miami FC have little to brag about when it comes to their Open Cup record. They were the first pro team to lose to a USASA side (Dallas Roma in 2006) and their only success came in 208 when they reached the third round.
The teams have met only once this season, back on May 1 at Lockhart Stadium. In that game, Christian Gomez scored just before halftime for Miami, and Julian Valentin equalized for Tampa with eight minutes remaining. Since that game, Miami are 2-3-4, while Tampa Bay are 4-3-2.
Did You Know?
Teams from the Tampa and Miami areas have met just once in the Pro Era of the Open Cup. In the second round of the 2000 tournament, the Tampa Bay Mutiny defeated Ft. Lauderdale’s Uruguay SC 1-0 in extra time. Mamadou Diallo scored the winner for the Mutiny. Two players from each team were sent off in the 88th minute after a bench clearing brawl erupted.
Third Round Hosting Possibilities
FC Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSF D-2)/Miami FC (USSF D-2) Winner at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
8:30 p.m. ET – Carl Lewis Track Stadium; Houston, Texas
—————————————————————————-
Arizona Sahuaros (USASA) at Austin Aztex (USSF D-2)
8:30 p.m. ET – House Park; Austin, Texas
Broadcast: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog
Arizona Saurahos (Meet the USASA: Arizona Sahuaros)
Founded: 1989
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Head Coach: Orhan Kraja
Record: 2-2-2 8 Pts. 12 GF 7 GA (Open Cup qualifying & First Round)
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (TWLT) (Open Cup qualifying & First Round)
Open Cup History: This year marks the third Open Cup appearance in a row for the Sahuaros, and their fourth in five years. They also have two tournaments played in 1998 and 1999 as a USL D3 Pro League club under their belts.
Austin Aztex
Founded: 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Head Coach: Adrian Heath
Record: 8-2-3 27 Pts. 25 GF 15 GA, 1st in USSF D2 USL Conference
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Edward Johnson, 6
Assists: Maxwell Griffin and Lawrence Olum, 3
Goalkeeping: Miguel Gallardo 1,170 Min. 1.07 GAA
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (WTLW)
Open Cup History: Austin’s debut cup appearance in 2009 took them to the third round, where they fell to the Houston Dynamo 3-0.
Despite being an amateur side on hiatus from the NPSL, the Sahuaros have had some success in the Open Cup, reaching the second round in 1998, 1999, and 2006. Austin is built for offense, their team leading the USSF Division 2 Pro League in goals scored and goal differential.
Did You Know?
This is the first time since 1997 that a team from Austin has faced an Arizona team in Open Cup play. In 1997’s first round match, the Austin Lone Stars defeated the Tucson Amigos 4-2, on the strength of a Gabe Jones hat trick.
Third Round Hosting Possibilities
Austin Aztex (USSF D-2)/Arizona Sahuaros (USASA) Winner at Chivas USA (MLS)
10:30 p.m. ET – California State-Fullerton; Fullerton, Calif.
—————————————————————————-
Portland Timbers (USSF D-2) at Kitsap Pumas (PDL)
10 p.m. ET – Bremerton Memorial Stadium; Bremerton, Washington
Video: None | Audio: Portland & Kitsap | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog
Portland Timbers
Founded: 2001
Location: Portland, Oregon
Head Coach: Gavin Wilkinson
Record: 4-5-4 16 Pts. 12 GF 10 GA, 5th in USSF D2 USL Conference
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (TTLW)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Ryan Pore, 9
Assists: Ryan Pore, 2
Goalkeeping: Steven Cronin 1,159 Min. 0.77 GAA
Open Cup History: The Timbers Open Cup pedigree is not much to write home about. 2009 marked the first time they advanced to the third round in six tries.
Kitsap Pumas
Founded: 2008
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Head Coach: Peter Fewing
Record: 7-1-0 21 Pts. 22 GF 6 GA, 3rd in PDL Northwest Division
Recent League Form: 3-1-0 in last four games (WLWW)
Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Matt Friesen, 4
Assists: David Gray 3
Goalkeeping: Dustyn Brim, 585 Min., 0.76 GAA
Open Cup History: Kitsap qualified for the Open Cup in their debut season in 2009, but fell to the Portland Timbers 3-0 in the opening round.
The Timbers have a chance to get revenge for their PDL club, the Portland Timbers U23. The PDL Timbers missed out on the Open Cup despite a perfect 4-0-0 record, and are the only PDL club with an unblemished record at 8-0-0. In fact, the U23 Timbers gave Kitsap their only PDL loss of the season, a 3-0 defeat on June 5.
To say the Timbers offense goes through Ryan Pore is an understatement. Pore has scored nine of the Timbers ten goals, and has assisted on the two of the other three. Unfortunately for Portland, most of that came in the first four games, as the Timbers have only scored three goals in their last eight games, and have a 1-5-3 record in that span.
Kitsap, on the other hand, wants revenge for a 3-0 loss to the Timbers in their first Open Cup match last year. Their offensive output is the direct opposite of Portland’s. The Pumas’ 22 goal have been scored by 10 different players, the most coming from Matt Friesen with four.
Did You Know?
Portland is 2-2 against Seattle area teams since beginning Open Cup play in 2004. They are 1-0 against Kitsap (3-0, 2009) and 1-2 against the Seattle Sounders (W 2-0 2005, L 2-1 2007, L 2-0 2009).
Also, the Kitsap Pumas are the first PDL team in history to qualify for the US Open Cup in each of their first two seasons.
Third Round Hosting Possibilities
Seattle Sounders (MLS) at Kitsap Pumas (PDL)
10 p.m. ET – Bremerton Memorial Stadium; Bremerton, Wash.
Seattle Sounders (MLS) at Portland Timbers (USSF D-2)
10 p.m. ET – PGE Park; Portland, Ore.