RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, May 27, 2014) – The Richmond Kickers return to U.S. Open Cup action this Wednesday, May 28 when they host the New York Greek American Atlas of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA) in the Third Round. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are on sale now for just $5.00 at www.richmondkickers.com. Should the Kickers advance to the Fourth Round, they will host the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer on Wednesday, June 18.
The Kickers advanced to the Third Round after ousting RVA FC (NPSL), 6-1, from the Second Round on May 14. Samuel Asante, Shay Spitz and Jason Yeisley opened scoring in the first half, with Tishan Hanley adding a pair of goals following the break. RVA FC pulled a goal back just past the hour mark before George Davis IV rounded out the scoreline two minutes from regulation.
The 2014 season marks the 16th time the Richmond Kickers have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup over the past 21 seasons, with an overall record of 25-14 during tournament play. The Kickers claimed the U.S. Open Cup title the first year of the Professional Era in 1995 and have since made it to the quarterfinal round five times (1995, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011) and the semifinal round twice (1995, 2011). Ousting five Major League Soccer teams along the way, including Colorado Rapids in 2000, D.C. United in 2004, LA Galaxy in 2007 and Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City in 2011, the Kickers became the first lower division team to defeat back-to-back MLS teams on the road.
As the 2013 Region I Amateur Cup Champions, NY Greek American Atlas received an automatic berth to this year’s U.S. Open Cup Second Round where they upset the Ocean City Nor’Easters (PDL) 2-0 behind a pair of goals by midfielder Josh Trott. Established in 1941, the NY Greek American Atlas are one of the most successful and longest continually operating teams in the country, currently playing in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League out of Maspeth, Queens. The perennial league championship contenders have claimed the U.S. Open Cup title four times (1967, 1968, 1969 and 1974) and are one of just two teams, alongside the Seattle Sounders, to win on three consecutive occasions.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, recognized as U.S. Soccer’s National Club Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion for 100 consecutive years dating back to 1914. This year’s winner will earn $250,000 and have its name engraved on the historic Dewar Challenge Trophy, one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports. The runner-up will take home $60,000, while the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will earn a $15,000 cash prize. D.C. United is the defending U.S. Open Cup champion, having won its third tournament title (following triumphs in 1996 and 2008) after a tense 1-0 road victory over Real Salt Lake on Oct. 1, 2013.
Players to Watch
Kickers: Forward Tishan Hanley (#9) made his Kickers’ scoring debut during the U.S. Open Cup Second Round game, notching back-to-back goals in the 6-1 win. The St. Kitts & Nevis native joined the Kickers just prior to the 2014 season after leading NPSL side RVA FC to the national title last season. Adding a pair of goals against Charlotte last week, midfielder George Davis IV (#11) ranks second the USL PRO scoring charts with seven goals and two assists during the regular season, adding an eighth during the U.S. Open Cup tournament. The Lima, OH native signed with the Kickers after spending two seasons with the Orange County Blues. Cameroonian native William Yomby (#2) recently led the Kickers’ defensive unit to consecutive shutouts against the Chicago Fire Reserves and Charlotte Eagles during regular season action. The five-time USL PRO All-League First Team defender was a 2013 USL PRO Defender of the Year Finalist en route to the club’s USL PRO Regular Season Championship title last season.
Atlas: Midfielder Josh Trott (#9) scored unanswered goals within the first 10 minutes on either side of the half to lead the NY Greek American Atlas to a 2-0 upset over the Ocean City Nor’Easters in the U.S. Open Cup Second Round. A former Holy Cross University standout and Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, the Glen Cove, NY native set a Holy Cross single-season record with 15 goals scored as the second leading scorer in NCAA Division 1 his senior year in 2006. The club’s leading scorer, Chris Megaloudis (#10) splits time between the NY Greek American Atlas and the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL Premier Development League. Earning 19 caps with the Puerto Rican National Team, the forward spent the 2008 season with the New York Red Bulls and made four appearances with the now-defunct USL PRO side FC New York in 2011. Former Hofstra University player Stephan Barea (#19) anchored the NY Greek American Atlas defense that blanked Ocean City in the U.S. Open Cup Second Round. The current Long Island Rough Riders defender notched the game-winning goal in the 2013 Region I Amateur Cup Final to award the club an automatic berth into this year’s U.S. Open Cup tournament.
Wild Wolf Wednesday
Tickets for Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Third Round match are just $5.00 all ages. Wild Wolf Wednesday tickets are also available for $10 and include admission and two of the Kickers official craft beers, Kick It Hunny (ages 21+ only). Order now at www.richmondkickers.com.
