D.C. United today announced that the club will host the Philadelphia Union in the fourth round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The match will take place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., on Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. D.C. United advanced to the fourth round by defeating USL PRO affiliate the Richmond Kickers tonight by virtue of penalty kicks. After 90 minutes of scoreless play, the game ended 0-0 following an additional 30 minutes of extra time. Goalkeeper Joe Willis stopped the Kickers’ first two penalty kick attempts, and the Black-and-Red came out on top 4-2.
The cost of attending the fourth-round match is $20 for general admission and $10 for D.C. United ticket-plan holders with an ID card. Youth ages 16 and under will be able to enter for free with a purchase of an adult ticket (must be 1 for 1). PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE
D.C. United has won the U.S. Open Cup twice in its 18-year history. In 1996, D.C. United pulled off the first ‘double’ in League history, winning both MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. The Black-and-Red beat the second division Rochester Raging Rhinos 3-0 in the 1996 Open Cup final, on the strength of goals from Eddie Pope, Jaime Moreno and Raul Diaz Arce. In 2008, United captured its second Open Cup title when it beat the second division Charleston Battery 2-1, with goals from Fred and Luciano Emilio.
The 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup includes a random selection process for determining home teams from the first round through the finals among clubs that have applied to host. The process, conducted by a coin flip, gives participating teams with venues meeting tournament standards an equal chance at hosting their possible opponent. In years past, the two semifinal matches and the final game were determined through a sealed-bid process.
The 2013 tournament features 68 teams, an increase from the 64 that competed last year, marking the largest field in the modern era (1995-present). This year also marks the second-consecutive year in which all U.S.-based Division I, II and III teams will participate in the tournament proper: 16 from Major League Soccer, six from the North American Soccer League and 12 from USL PRO. All Division II clubs and eight of the Division III sides entered the competition in the second round while Division I teams received a bye to the third round.
