PITTSBURGH (May 16, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds open up Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play on the road facing Chicago FC United at 8 p.m. tomorrow night at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.
Entering its 104th year of existence, the Open Cup is the longest running competition in American soccer. The Hounds begin play in the second round, as is the standard for all USL teams, while FC United advanced to the second stage thanks to a 1-0 victory over Grand Rapids FC last week.
A live stream of the match is expected to be available through U.S. Soccer. Check back at ussoccer.com for further information. Fans are also welcome to follow the action live on Twitter at @PghRiverhounds.
A member of the USL’s Premier Developmental League (PDL), Chicago has an extensive amount of experience in Open Cup play previously operating as the Under-23 squad for MLS-side Chicago Fire. This season marks the club’s first as FC United in the Open Cup.
In total, the club has competed in 12 Open Cup matches over the past 13 years, registering eight wins in that time. Chicago’s latest victory against Grand Rapids was its first since 2012 in the annual competition.
FC United has yet to begin PDL play in 2017, as the season kicks off at the end of this month. Last year saw Chicago place third in the Heartland Division with an 8-4-2 record.
– The Riverhounds head into tomorrow night’s match hoping for a better result this time around, as they were bounced in the second round last season against amateur-side Lansdowne Bhoys FC, 2-0, at Highmark Stadium. Historically, the Hounds are at an even 50 percent when it comes to recording at least one win in Open Cup play. Since debuting in the Open Cup in 2000, Pittsburgh has won at least one game in seven of their 14 appearances, including five of their last seven, and hold a 10-13 record all-time.
– Adding to the previous note, last season may very well prove to be anomaly, as both 2014 and 2015 saw the Hounds advance to the fourth round of play to face MLS competition. The most recent appearance in 2015 saw Pittsburgh fall 3-1 in a highly contest matchup at Highmark Stadium against D.C. United that the visitors needed two goals in extra time to secure the victory.
– Wednesday’s match will mark the sixth time the Riverhounds have played an opponent hailing from the Chicago area in Open Cup play. Along with FC United, the Hounds have faced both the Fire and Croatian American soccer club RWB Adria twice, as well as amateur club A.A.C. Eagles once. Pittsburgh’s only defeats have come against the Fire – 3-2 in the 2001 Quarterfinals and 2-1 in the Fourth Round of 2014.
– Set to play in Evanston, Illinois, on the campus of Northwestern University, this is the first time the Hounds have began Open Cup play on the road since 2009 and the third time the club has played in the Prairie State.
– Only four members on the Hounds current roster were on the team for last year’s Open Cup competition – Stephen Okai, Mike Green, Kevin Kerr, Corey Hertzog. Additionally, look for the Hounds to be without the services of loanees Marshall Hollingsworth and Abuchi Obinwa of Columbus Crew SC and Joe Greenspan of Minnesota United FC, as those players must be made available for their respective MLS teams.
The Riverhounds return to USL action this Saturday, May 20 to host Louisville City FC, who coincidentally will face Tartan Devils FC in their first match of the Open Cup tomorrow night at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff for Saturday’s tilt is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.riverhounds.com.
