Tonight the Richmond Kickers face off against the RVA FC at Sports Backers stadium at 7PM for the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Tonight the Richmond Kickers face off against the RVA FC at Sports Backers stadium at 7PM for the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Why You Should Go: The US Open Cup, which started in the 1913-1914 season, is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the US and the world’s third longest knockout soccer tournament. Any US Soccer Federation team can qualify including amateur adult teams and professional MLS teams.
RVA is one of the only cities in the country with two pro teams, and Richmond ranks 6th in the nation for the highest market for combined full-season NBC/NBCSN ratings for Premier League matches.
This is the first derby in Richmond, which means that two teams from the same city or area face off against each other. The Kickers actually won the cup in 1995, and last year took DC United into overtime but ended up losing on penalty kicks, and DC United advanced to eventually win the whole thing.
This is the 16th time in Kickers history they’ve qualified for the Cup with a record of 24-14 during the tournament. The Kickers have also become the first lower division team to defeat back-to-back MLS teams on the road. RVA FC qualified for the U.S. Open Cup tournament after claiming the NPSL Championship title during their inaugural 2013 campaign. For their sophomore year, RVA FC competes in the National Premier Soccer League, which is one of the top amateur leagues in the country.
After the Second Round, the winning team will advance to the Third Round to either host the New York Greek American Atlas of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association or face the Ocean City Nor’Easters of the Premier Development League on Wednesday, May 28.
The 101st edition of the tournament features 80 teams, which is 12 more teams from last year’s 68. The expansion results in both the largest number of amateur teams as well as the largest gathering of pro clubs with all Division I, II and III professional sides participating for the third year in a row.
During the rounds the opponents that draw one another earn the right to host the game on a coin flip. So the Galaxy, with Landon Donovan, or the Timbers, with Clint Dempsey, could conceivably play at City Stadium in Richmond were we to continue winning, which is a pretty high honor. The Kickers have hosted several MLS teams in this tournament before.
The winner of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will receive prize money as well as being inscribed on the Dewar Cup, the original trophy awarded, which is on permanent display in New York due to poor condition. The winning team receives a new trophy.
So if you’re a Kickers fan, join the Red Army at Hardywood Park Brewery at 6:15 where fans will march together to Sports Backers stadium. RVA FC fans can meet up at F.W. Sullivan’s before and after the game, who are their official sponsor.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the gate.
For media coverage you can follow @usopencup for full coverage and the US Soccer Federation will be streaming the game online.
