Fresh off of a trying 2-0 loss in Columbus, the Black-and-Red will have little time for reflection ahead of two crucial matches this week. The first will take place on Wednesday, June 30 at George Mason University where United is set to host local rivals Richmond Kickers at 7:30 p.m. in the U.S. Open Cup. One day later the team departs directly from Reagan National to San Francisco, where this weekend United will take on the San Jose Earthquakes in a League encounter. 

Wednesday's Open Cup match brings United an opportunity to advance to the quarterfinals of a competition the club has thrived in throughout its history. Yet for the Black-and-Red to progress, the club must dispatch a tenacious local adversary that has troubled United over the years. Despite Richmond's lower league status, the Virginia side has a strong history of player development and competing well against larger clubs. 

Currently playing in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division, Richmond has reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup three times in the last decade (2001, 2004, and 2007). In 2004 the Kickers advanced to this stage of the competition at the expense of United, defeating the Black-and-Red 2-1 en route to the next round.

Adding further fuel to this unique rivalry is the fact that the two sides have met on eight different occasions since 1996. United is 5-3 all-time against the Kickers, but there is a distinct competitiveness that surrounds this fixture. "They are a very good organization that does things the right way. This won't be an easy game," states United midfielder Clyde Simms. Simms came to United in 2005 from Richmond, where the midfielder started 28 of 31 matches while the Kickers were playing the in the USL First Division.

"You know no matter what [Richmond] will play hard and aggressively, so we need to control the tempo and make sure we have the upper hand," continues Simms. The East Carolina graduate is not the only Richmond alum with United roots. Current United defender Bryan Namoff went on loan to the Kickers in 2001 when he was beginning his Black-and-Red career, while midfielder Brian Carroll also had a loan spell with the club in 2003. Additionally, United stalwart Richie Williams played for Richmond from 1993 through 1995 in the USISL, an indoor professional league that predated Major League Soccer. 

United last played the Kickers in a friendly on March 22, 2008 - a 3-0 win for the USL side. Part of the magic of the U.S. Open is the ability for smaller clubs to prove their talent against top-flight teams, and the Black-and-Red know they will be in for a fight on Wednesday. Should United advance, the club will host the winner of the New York Red Bulls and Harrisburg City Islanders. That potential fixture would be held on July 7 at George Mason University. Thus far United has defeated FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake to earn the right to advance to the third round of the competition.