USL PRO News Release
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – All 14 USL PRO teams make their first appearance in the U.S. Open Cup in this week’s second round, with a number of teams aiming to replicate recent history and make deep runs in the 101st edition of U.S. Soccer’s oldest tournament.
The lower-division side to make the deepest run in the tournament this decade, 2011 semifinalist the Richmond Kickers, open on the road in a game against RVA FC in the game that has been announced as USSoccer.com’s Game of the Round. Live coverage will be available on the federation’s website as the Kickers aim to start another strong run in a tournament they won in 1995.
Another side that made a run to the semifinals in 2009, the Rochester Rhinos, will play host to the PDL’s Western Mass Pioneers at Sahlen’s Stadium at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday night, one of a number of contests that see USL PRO sides play host to strong PDL opposition. The Pioneers took a 4-1 win against Mass Premier Soccer in last week’s first round, and the Rhinos will need to watch Brazilian striker Alencar Junior, who scored twice in that contest and nine times last season.
2008 finalist the Charleston Battery, who reached last season’s fourth round with a win against the San Jose Earthquakes, will host Open Cup debutante the Panama City Beach Pirates at Blackbaud Stadium, while Orlando City, which reached last season’s quarterfinals with wins against the Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas City, faces the Ocala Stampede for a second consecutive season.
Sacramento Republic FC makes its debut as it hosts the Ventura County Fusion at the Consumnes River College Stadium late on Wednesday night, and there is an all-North Carolina contest as the Charlotte Eagles host the Carolina Dynamo at Queens College.
Other USL PRO sides will start their campaigns on the road, with the Wilmington Hammerheads aiming to build on an impressive win against the Charleston Battery this past Saturday in their visit to Chattanooga FC. The Dayton Dutch Lions also hit the road as they face Schwaben AC, while OKC Energy FC visits the Tulsa Athletics and Arizona United SC visits the Portland Timbers U-23s in the opening game of the round on Wednesday night.
The Harrisburg City Islanders, who reached the quarterfinals in 2012, also hit the road as they visit FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic, but their Keystone State rivals the Pittsburgh Riverhounds remain at home to host the New York Red Bulls U23s at Highmark Stadium.
The LA Galaxy II round out the draw as they host Cal FC at the StubHub Center Track Stadium on Wednesday night, with a number of young players set to get the chance to send their side into the next round.