Richmond Kickers News Release - www.richmondkickers.com
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers return to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action when they host the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Fourth Round. Should the Kickers advance to the Fifth Round, they will travel to D.C. United on June 24, or host USL PRO rivals the Rochester Rhinos on June 25.
The Kickers advanced to the Fourth Round after ousting the NY Greek American Atlas SC (USASA) in a dramatic 2-1 affair at City Stadium in the Third Round on May 28. The amateur side claimed an early lead before a fierce electrical storm forced a three-hour delay. After the break, Kickers midfielders George Davis IV and Tishan Hanley tallied second-half goals to boost the home side through to the next round.
Previously, the Kickers entered the tournament with a Second Round 6-1 win local side RVA FC. Samuel Asante, Shay Spitz and Jason Yeisley opened scoring in the first half, with Hanley adding a pair of goals following the break. RVA FC pulled a goal back just past the hour mark before Davis rounded out the scoreline two minutes from time.
The 2014 season marks the 16th time the Kickers have played in the U.S. Open Cup in the past 21 seasons, with an overall record of 25-14 during tournament play. The Kickers claimed the U.S. Open Cup title the first year of the Professional Era in 1995, and have since made it to the quarterfinal round five times (1995, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011) and the semifinal round twice (1995, 2011). With a reputation of defeating MLS teams, the Kickers made history in 2011 when they became the first lower division team to defeat back-to-back MLS teams on the road.
New England enters this year’s tournament in the Fourth Round, alongside 16 other U.S.-based MLS teams. The Revolution earned their first cup tournament title when they were crowned 2007 U.S. Open Cup Champions following a 3-2 win against FC Dallas. Carrying a 13-11-4 U.S. Open Cup all-time record into Wednesday’s match, the Revolution met the Kickers once before when they claimed a 3-0 win in the Third Round of the 2008 tournament.
The Revs currently reside in second place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a 7-5-2 record and 23 points. Wednesday’s match marks the club’s first in 10 days as it most recently dropped a 2-0 decision against the New York Red Bulls on June 8.