RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, June 29, 2010) – The Richmond Kickers will endure a short trip northbound on I-95 to scuffle with four time MLS champions, D.C. United.  The altercation will take place on Wednesday, June 30th at 7:30 p.m. as the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup gets underway.  George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Virginia will provide the home setting for United.  Victory will ensure the winner a spot in the quarterfinal round to battle the conqueror of the Harrisburg City Islanders/New York Red Bulls contest.  Should the Kickers advance in the tournament, they would be guaranteed a home game for the quarterfinals on Tuesday, July 6th.    

Wednesday’s match-up will mark the tenth meeting between the two clubs with the Kickers holding the series edge 4-3-1.   United made their most recent appearance in Richmond in a 2008 exhibition at City Stadium, during which the Kickers came away with a 3-0 victory over the MLS powerhouse.  The clubs last met in the U.S. Open Cup in 2005 when D.C. United ousted the Kickers from the Fourth Round, one year after the Kickers edged the black-and-red, 2-1, in the Third Round of the 2004 tournament. 

The 2010 season marks the 12th time the Richmond Kickers have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup over the past 17 seasons, posting an overall record of 19-10 during tournament play.  The Kickers claimed the U.S. Open Cup title in 1995, which introduced the first year of the “Professional Era” and have made it through to the quarterfinal round four times.  Richmond has defeated three Major League Soccer clubs in the process, including Colorado Rapids, D.C. United and LA Galaxy.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is recognized as U.S. Soccer’s National Championship.  A single-elimination format is used with the tournament open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.  Along with financial compensation, the winner will have its name engraved on the historic Dewar Challenge Trophy; the oldest trophy competed for nationally in American team sports.

Richmond Kickers Record Versus D.C. United      
1999 Exhibition  Kickers 1, United 0 *Terminated due to lightning
2001 Open Cup  United 2, Kickers 1
2002 Exhibition  United 1, Kickers 0
2003 Exhibition  Kickers 1, United 1
2004 Open Cup  Kickers 2, United 1
2005 Open Cup  United 3, Kickers 1
2006 Exhibition  Kickers 0, United 0 *Terminated due to lightning
2007 Exhibition  Kickers 3, United 2
2008 Exhibition  Kickers 3, United 0