VSI Tampa Bay FC News Release -- www.vsi-fc.com
Monday, May 20, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. -- VSI Tampa Bay FC is proud to host the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the second round of the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night. Kickoff at Plant City Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with the winner meeting Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC in the third round next week.
VSI advanced to the second round after winning a penalty shootout against the Orlando City U23s in the opening round last Tuesday, and sets up the first-ever meeting between the club and the Rowdies. VSI scored all five of its penalty kicks in the shootout against Orlando after the two teams had finished tied 1-1 through regulation and extra time.
VSI Tampa Bay enters the match sitting sixth in the USL PRO standings after seven games. VSI won its last league contest, defeating Antigua Barracuda FC 3-1 on May 3. Since then, the side has been focused on the Open Cup, with Andriy Budnyy scoring his third goal of the season last week against the Lions.
VSI has been strong defensively, with Kyle Hoffer and Josh Rife two players to watch in Tuesday night's game. Offensively, Alex Freita, Tony Donatelli and Budnyy have developed a strong understanding of each other's movements, and will aim to provide the goals to take VSI into the third round and a visit to the Sounders.
Tickets are available online at www.vsi-fc.com, or at the Plant City Stadium box office, which opens at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night. General admission tickets for Tuesday night's game are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years old. Parking is $5. Any child under 18 years old wearing a soccer jersey will be able to gain free admittance for Tuesday night's game, while Alessi Bakery will continue to provide concessions for all of VSI Tampa Bay FC's home matches in the 2013 season.