2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
D.C. United at Richmond Kickers
Tuesday, May 29 - 7:00 PM ET
TV/Online: None
With a team specifically built for depth, D.C. United seems wellpositioned for a long U.S. Open Cup run in 2012. The journey towards a third title in America’s most historiccompetition begins Tuesday as the Black-and-Red travel to face the RichmondKickers in the tournament’s third round.
“You would like to think we can make a run every year,” saidmidfielder Chris Pontius when asked about his team’s chances in Open Cup. “Obviously there’s a lot that has to goright, but I think we are in the right place right now to go out and win it.”
Richmond willbe a familiar foe for Ben Olsen’s side as the two sides have met four timesprior in Open Cup play. The most recent meeting came back in 2010, when clublegend Jaime Moreno scored a goal and added an assist in a Round-of-16win. Pontius played in that match,and has grown tired of seeing his team come close - but ultimately fail - to capture an Open Cup.
“It’s a big tournament,” Pontius said shortly after last week’sdraw. “We haven’t won it in acouple years, and we lost in the finals my rookie year. We’d like to win it.”
Richmond advanced to the Round of 32 on the strength of a4-0 win over amateur side Aegean Hawks FC last week at the Maryland Soccerplex. Tuesday’s victor will face thePhiladelphia Union/Rochester Rhinos winner in the fourth round.
