Bobby Fogelsong

Another year, another U.S. Open Cup run for the Richmond Kickers.

The Kickers, champions in 1995 and quarterfinalists three times since then, defeated Real Maryland 3-1 on a steamy Tuesday night in Richmond to earn a date up I-95 at D.C. United in the round of 16.

Mike Burke, who played for United in 2000, played a role in the first two Kickers goals. In the 10th minute, his free kick found defender Yomby William’s head to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. In the 69th, he played a ball to Roger Bothe, who centered to leading scorer Matthew Delicâte for the goal.

Richmond made it 3-0 in the 79th, with Stephen Nserko setting up fellow second-half sub Bobby Fogelsong.

Alan Sanchez pulled one back for Real Maryland in the 83rd minute, but it was too late.

The visitors got a boost from Andre Akpan, on loan from the Colorado Rapids. Akpan played in the Rapids’ qualifiers for the Cup, but because those games are organized by MLS and aren’t part of the Cup proper, he was not Cup-tied. The Harvard alum had several shots in the first 15 minutes and rang the crossbar in the 35th.

Richmond has met D.C. United three times in Open Cup play, winning a 2-1 decision in 2004.

RIC: GK Ronnie Pascale; D Yomby William, D Henry Kalungi, D Sascha Görres, D Dave Hertel; M Roger Bothe, M Mike Burke, M Edson Elcock, M Luke Vercollone (Bobby Fogelsong 60), M Jonathan Villanueva (Stephen Nserko 50); F Matthew Delicâte

RM: GK Brian Levey; D Jonathan Borrajo (Israel Sesay 66), D Kenneth Sola, D Gareth Evans, D Mason Trafford; M Nate Baker, M Ben Hunter (Sean Rush 76), M Nicholas Paterson, M Joel Senior (Jykel Noviello 46); F Andre Akpan, F Alan Sanchez

Scoring summary:
RIC Yomby (Burke) 10
RIC Delicâte (Bothe) 69
RIC Fogelsong (Nserko) 79
RM Sanchez 83

Cards:
RM Sola 58
RIC Vercollone 60
RM Hunter 73

Shots: RIC 12:8 RM
Saves: RIC 3:2 RM
Fouls: RIC 8:6 RM
Offsides: RIC 0:7 RM
Corners: RIC 4:3 RM