RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, August 7, 2007) – The Richmond Kickers continue US Open Cup action tonight, Tuesday, August 7th, facing the USL First Division expansion franchise Carolina RailHawks at 7:30 pm at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, NC in the Quarterfinal round.  Follow the Quarterfinal action at home LIVE via www.USLLive.com.   The winner will advance to the Semifinals to play the winner of the New England Revolution (MLS) versus Harrisburg City Islanders (USL2) Quarterfinal to be held on Wednesday, August 8th at 7:30 pm at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.  Should the Kickers advance, they will host the Harrisburg City Islanders on Friday, August 31st OR travel to face the New England Revolution on Wednesday, September 5th.  See full schedule below.  

“The RailHawks are a very competitive and experienced team,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Vice President, Soccer Programs.  “Playing away from home against a USL1 team will be a daunting proposition but we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Of the original field of 40 teams, the Kickers are one of five USL teams remaining in this year’s tournament.  Narrowed down to eight teams, the Kickers are slated to join the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL2), Carolina RailHawks (USL1), Charleston Battery (USL1) and Seattle Sounders (USL1) in the Quarterfinals while the New England Revolution, FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids represent Major League Soccer. 
 
Path To The Quarterfinals
The Kickers are the underdog for the second time during tournament play, shocking the world-renowned LA Galaxy (MLS) in the Third Round on July 10th by a score of 1-0.  The lone goal of the night was tallied by Kickers forward David Bulow.  Kelvin Jones was dangerous on both sides of the ball, assisting on Bulow’s goal while anchoring a defensive unit that shutout the Galaxy.  The Kickers edged USL2 rival Cleveland City Stars in a hard-fought Second Round battle that ended with a 2-1 scoreline in favor of the home side on June 26th.  Receiving an automatic berth as the defending league champion, the Kickers joined nine USL1 teams, seven USL2 teams, 8 PDL teams and 8 USASA teams in the First Round on June 12th, with the Kickers ejecting the Michigan Bucks (PDL) 4-2, despite a three-hour lightning delay.

The Carolina RailHawks bumped the defending US Open Cup Champions Chicago Fire from this year’s tournament in the Third Round with a 1-0 decision.  Former Kicker and VCU standout McColm Cephas notched the game-winning goal, sending the RailHawks to the Quarterfinals in their first season.  Carolina previously met USASA teams, ending the Open Cup run of RWB Adria and Bavarian SC, 4-1 and 4-0 in the First and Second Rounds respectively.  The RailHawks’ roster boasts five other past Kickers players flanking Cephas, including Joey Worthen, Chris Carrieri, Kevin Jeffrey, Caleb Norkus and John O’Hara (Kickers Future). 

Kickers Versus RailHawks
The Kickers opened the 2007 campaign with a preseason exhibition match featuring the RailHawks on April 7th, handing a 3-1 result to the USL1 side.  An action-packed second half delivered Richmond goals by midfielder Trey Alexander, 2006 USL2 MVP Robert Ssejjemba and second-year defender Trevor McEachron.  Past Kickers forward Kevin Jeffrey marked his return to Richmond with the RailHawks only goal against his former team.  Jeffrey currently holds the second-place position on the Kickers all-time career lists in goals (52) and points (136), spending five seasons in Richmond.   

About the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which is recognized as U.S. Soccer’s National Championship, is a single-elimination, annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion for 93 consecutive years dating back to 1914.  The team that advances the furthest from each level except Division I earns a $10,000 cash prize. The Open Cup runner-up takes home $50,000, while the champion collects $100,000. The winner will have their team’s name engraved on the historic Dewar Challenge Trophy, the oldest trophy in American team sports that is housed in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.

Quarterfinal Round Schedule

Date	Teams	Location
Aug 8	Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at New England Revolution (MLS)	Gilette Stadium; Foxborough, MA
Aug 7	Richmond Kickers (USL-2) at CarolinaRailhawks (USL-1)	SAS Soccer Park; Cary, NC
Aug 7	FC Dallas (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL-1)	Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston SC
Aug 7	Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1)	Qwest Field; Seattle, WA

Semifinal Possible Pairings

Date	Teams	Location
Sept 5	Richmond Kickers (USL-2) at New England Revolution (MLS)	Veterans Stadium; New Britain, CT
OR
Sept 4	Carolina RailHawks (USL-1) at New England Revolution (MLS)	Veterans Stadium; New Britain, CT
OR
Sept 4	Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at Carolina RailHawks (USL-1)	SAS Soccer Park; Cary, NC
OR
Aug 31	Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at Richmond Kickers (USL-2)	UR Stadium; Richmond, VA
Sept 4	FC Dallas (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1)	Qwest Field; Seattle, WA
OR
Sept 4	Charleston Battery (USL-1) at Seattle Sounders (USL -1)	Qwest Field; Seattle, WA
OR
Sept 4	Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL-1)	Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, SC
OR
Sept 4	Colorado Rapids (MLS) at FC Dallas (MLS)	Pizza Hut Park; Frisco Texas