The Open Cup returns to City Stadium for the first time since 2019
RICHMOND, VA. — The Richmond Kickers are set to host one of the final remaining amateur sides in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Third Round at City Stadium when it hosts NC Fusion U23 from Greensboro, N.C. on Wednesday night.
The Roos earned hosting duties in the Piedmont Region for the third round after defeating Northern Virginia FC 1-0 in the Open Cup second round on April 6. It was the first time the team played in the tournament under Head Coach Darren Sawatzky. The Roos made the trip up to Leesburg, Va. to face NoVa.
David Olsen scored his first goal for the club in his first start off of an assist from Matthew Bentley. Despite the hosts turning the match into a rock fight, the Kickers kept their cool and held on for the victory.
Alongside Fusion, the Kickers were in the same draw as MLS newcomers, Charlotte FC, and fellow USL League One rivals, Greenville Triumph SC. The Triumph is set to host Charlotte at roughly the same time, Wednesday night.
If the Kickers wish to make it to the round of 32 — matching their performance in the 2019 Open Cup — they will first need to overcome a talented side in Fusion. The amateur side earned a rousing 4-2 away victory over USL League One side Charlotte Independence in the cup’s second round.
The reigning USL League Two runner-ups trailed 2-1 going into halftime against Charlotte, but they found extra momentum in the 55th minute off of Joao Silva’s equalizer. The hosts went down to 10 men after a 76th-minute red card, and Fusion found their go-ahead goal from Tom Marriott in the 88th minute. A stoppage-time insurance goal from William Lorentz guaranteed the Fusion would move on to the next round.
Fusion finished the match with a whopping 22 shots and nine on target while out-possessing Charlotte.
On top of wanting to advance in the competition, Richmond will look to recapture its momentum from the opening week of the season when it started unbeaten in three consecutive matches including wins in the league and the Open Cup. Additionally, on the line is the Kickers’ 15-match unbeaten streak at City Stadium that dates back to May 2021.
The Kickers’ next match after Fusion will be a league match at Charlotte Independence on Monday, April 25. It will be the first time the two sides have faced each other since the 2018 season when they were both USL Championship sides. The kickoff for the match between regional rivals is set for 7 p.m.
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