91 teams started. Now only 32 remain.
After three rounds of competition over the course of the last month and a half, the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup has been seen 15 of the 74 lower division clubs who initially entered the tournament join the 17 US-based MLS teams who start their campaign in the fourth round. They are all a mere five wins away from hoisting the oldest trophy in the history of US soccer dating back to 1913. In one of the 16 ties set to take place this week, the USL’s Richmond Kickers host Columbus Crew SC.
Lamar Hunt US Open Cup 4th Round: Richmond Kickers Host Columbus Crew SC
Both clubs are actually former champions of the event. Columbus captured the 2002 U.S. Open Cup title with a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. They have also appeared in the championship game in a losing effort twice, falling to DC United in 1998 and more recently in 2010 to the Seattle Sounders.
For the Kickers, a franchise founded in 1993 and currently the USL affiliate for DC, their lone title came in 1995. That year is significant in that it’s the last year the tournament did not include MLS clubs, who began play a year later. Richmond defeated the home-standing El Paso Patriots in a penalty shootout 4-2 after regulation and extra time was not enough to break a 1-1 deadlock.
Richmond’s Surprise 2011 Run
You may not be aware of the fact that these two teams who appear to originate from seemingly disparate sections of the American soccer pyramid are somehow linked in the recent history of this tournament. In 2011, the Kickers dispatched of two fellow USL teams in the opening rounds of the tournament. They first defeated the Dayton Dutch Lions, a recent Crew SC affiliate up to last year, by a score of 4-1 before advancing past the Pittsburgh Riverhounds a week later.
They would then face the Black and Gold in the third round of the tournament proper at MAPFRE Stadium. Nozomi Hiroyama would open up the scoring in favor of Richmond in the 22nd minute with Crew SC’s Cole Grossman equalizing 13 minutes later. However, a Matthew Delicate goal late in the second half would be the difference as the Kickers would escape Columbus with an upset win. They would go on to shock another MLS club in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City before bowing out in the semis to the Chicago Fire.
The 2015 Kickers: Quite the Formidable USL Side
Fast forward four seasons to 2015 and the scorer of that game-winner for the Kickers against Crew SC still plies his trade in Virginia’s capital city. In fact, Delicate is the team leader in goals scored this season with six, a mark that puts him in a tie for fourth in USL. Three other players have added four apiece: Brian Ownby, George Davis IV and Jason Yeisley. Ownby has also assisted on four goals which is tied for fifth in the league.
In their two US Open Cup ties so far, the Kickers have outscored their opponents 5-0. The club defeated the NPSL’s Virginia Beach City FC 2-0 in the second round. A week later, they played Jacksonville Armada FC of the NASL and cruised in dominant fashion en route to a 3-0 victory with the night as a whole being quite forgettable for the US’s second-tier league. The two early round victories extended Richmond’s winning streak against non-MLS sides in the tournament to ten with their last loss coming in 2009.
Yeisley’s goal-scoring form has translated most from regular season to the US Open Cup. The forward has added two goals to the four he’s tallied in the regular season, scoring once in each of the Kickers’ victories in the tournament. Ownby and Davis have added one each with the latter converting on a second half penalty kick against Jacksonville.
Crew SC will also need to keep an eye on Richmond midfielder Fred Owusu Sekyere. The Ghanaian is a skilled set piece specialist and has played a dangerous role creating chances for the Kickers all year, particularly on corners. Particular attention must be paid to the connection between him and Ownby, who loves to make far post runs behind the defense.
The Kickers have two possible options in goal against Crew SC. Ryan Taylor is the most likely to get the start since in his six USL appearances he has yet to come up on the losing end and has compiled a record of 3-0-3. Also, apparently he’s capable of some pretty fantastic heroics as should be evident right here:
The club could also go with Travis Worra, who’s currently on loan from DC United. Worra has five starts during the USL regular season and has come away with two victories. The Lancaster, PA native was also an emergency substitute in DC’s 2-1 road victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps when starter Andrew Dykstra (himself filling in for Bill Hamid) was injured. His 32 minutes in goal remain the only time he’s appeared at MLS level so far.
Wednesday’s contest will mark the third meeting between the two teams and first-ever at City Stadium in Richmond. In addition to the Kickers’ upset victory in 2011, the clubs also faced off in 2002. Crew SC would romp to a 3-0 win, the first of four on the road towards capturing the title that year.
Depending on the lineup Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter decides to put on the field in Richmond, this could have the makings of a fairly competitive match-up. Given the fact the team has a bye this coming weekend and doesn’t play another MLS game until next Wednesday (home against New England), you could see the Black and Gold come out close to if not completely full-strength. Even so, the hosts could prove a feisty opponent.
Richmond currently look to be among the most in-form sides in USL play. Their 6-2-6 record is good enough for second in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the still-undefeated Rochester Rhinos (8-0-4). They’re also tied with the Western Conference leading Oklahoma City Energy FC for the second-most points in the league as a whole.
Whatever transpires on the pitch, there’s no doubt that both teams will have to contend with the mid-June Virginia heat. With temperatures expected to rise into the low 90s during the day, the environment will likely rival if not exceed what Columbus experienced during their May 30th game in central Florida with Orlando City SC. Match fitness will certainly be tested especially if some of the lesser experienced players on the side see starting or substitute roles.
It may end up being a scorcher in Richmond on Wednesday night, but if the visitors can remain cool, calm and collected the final result will be a favorable one and the host’s hopes for a second consecutive upset bid against the Black and Gold will be thwarted. The round of 16 awaits.
US Open Cup Fifth Round Draw
After the fourth round winners have been determined, a draw for the round of 16 will take place on Thursday. You can view more details about the draw by clicking here.
