D.C. United in line to host U.S. Open Cup final

U.S. Soccer today announced the possible sites for the final of the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.  Should D.C. United advance past USL-1 side Rochester Rhinos in the semifinals of the competition, the Black-and-Red would host the championship match against the winner of the Seattle Sounders - Houston Dynamo match on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at RFK Stadium.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

D.C. United is set to host the Rochester Rhinos in the semifinal round on Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, MD.

Last year, D.C. United won the U.S. Open Cup for the second time in club history by defeating the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division, 2-1, in front of the home fans at RFK Stadium on Sept. 3. United began their title defense this year with play-in victories against MLS rivals FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls. United recorded a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas on April 22, before defeating New York 5-3 on May 20 at RFK to earn a spot in the Open Cup field.

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.