Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Monday, May 21, 2012
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery will host the PDL's Reading United AC in a second round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match on Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Reading United advanced to face the Battery by defeating the N.Y. Greek Americans 2-1 in the first round this past Tuesday night.
The winner of the second round fixture will advance to face Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls in the third round. If the Battery advances it will host the Red Bulls at Blackbaud Stadium on Tuesday, May 29. The New York Red Bulls roster features several marquee names including Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and Dax McCarty.
The 99th edition of the U.S. Open Cup includes a 64-team field, which represents the largest in the modern era (1995 to present), eclipsing the previous record of 42 teams set in 2005 and 2006. All Division I, II and III professional clubs are participating in the tournament proper for the first time ever. The Division I field includes all 16 U.S.-based Major League Soccer teams, which is double the representation from the past five years and the first time since 2006 that all Division I teams will take part.
The opening portion of the U.S. Open Cup schedule will occur in rapid fashion as the first four rounds take place in back-to-back weeks from May 15 to June 5. The quarterfinals are set for June 26, the semifinals for July 10, and the final for Aug. 7 or 8.
The Charleston Battery have never won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup but the club has advanced to the final once in 2008 and the semifinal on three occasions (1999, 2004, 2008). In 2011 the Battery lost 1-0 to USL PRO rival Orlando City in the second round of the tournament.
Second Round U.S. Open Cup Tickets
Tickets for the Battery’s second round U.S. Open Cup match are on sale now for $5 (West Bleacher) and $10 (West Club). Three Lions Club members and season ticket holders receive complimentary tickets to this game. There will be no charge for parking; to purchase tickets please visit www.charlestonbattery.com or call the Battery box office at (843) 971-GOAL (4625).