U.S. Soccer determines Open Cup Final scenarios, RFK Stadium in play as Final venue

With the semifinals set for Wednesday, September 1, three venues have been named as potential sites for the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final: Qwest Field in Seattle, Wash., RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. and The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.  Should United defeat Columbus in the first semifinal (next Wednesday at RFK at 7:30 p.m. ET), the Black-and-Red would either host Chivas USA at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at RFK Stadium, or travel to Qwest Field to face Seattle Sounders FC on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 11 p.m. ET.  The final will be televised live by Fox Soccer Channel.

Last year, D.C. United advanced to the U.S. Open Cup final before falling to Seattle Sounders FC.  The Black-and-Red have twice won the tournament, capturing titles in 1996 with a 3-0 win over the Rochester Rhinos and in 2008 courtesy of a 2-1 victory over the Charleston Battery. United began its title quest this year with play-in victories against MLS rivals FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake, recording 4-2 and 2-1 victories, respectively, to earn third round entry into the Open Cup field.  The Black-and-Red have also beaten the Richmond Kickers (USL-2), 2-0, and the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2), 2-0 to reach the semifinal stage in this year’s event.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an annual national competition that is open to all amateur and professional soccer teams that are affiliated with U.S. Soccer. It is the oldest tournament in the U.S., beginning in 1914 when Brooklyn Field Club took home the very first title. MLS teams were first included in the tournament in the inaugural 1996 season, with D.C. United taking home the title.

The tournament bracket is formed by teams from the USL First Division, USL Second Division, USL Premier Development League, and United States Adult Soccer Association. Teams compete in single elimination play, adding MLS teams to the mix in the third round, and continue on towards the championship game.