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.
The tournament semifinals take place Wednesday, Sept. 1, as D.C. United will host the Columbus Crew at 7:30 p.m. ET and Chivas USA will travel to face the Seattle Sounders at 7:30 p.m. PT. The results of the semifinals will determine the date and location of the tournament final, which will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Should Seattle emerge victorious against Chivas USA on Wednesday, the Sounders will host the final at Qwest Field on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 8 p.m. PT. If Chivas USA defeats Seattle and D.C. United defeats Columbus, the final will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at RFK Stadium. If Columbus defeats D.C. United and Chivas USA defeats Seattle, the final will be held at 8 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at The Home Depot Center.
The Seattle Sounders are the defending Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions, and could host a rematch of the 2009 final at home after winning last year at RFK Stadium. However, should the final take place at RFK Stadium, it would be the fourth time the nation’s capital played host to the championship match, after having done so in 1996, 2008 and 2009. The Home Depot Center has also played host to the U.S. Open Cup Final, serving as the venue in 2005 when the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated FC Dallas.
Chivas USA is the only club remaining that does not have its name engraved on the Dewar Cup, the trophy awarded to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion, with the 2010 semifinal appearance being the furthest the club has advanced in the competition. Columbus hoisted the trophy in 2002, D.C. United did so in 1996 and 2008, and Seattle won the title in 2009.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which is recognized as U.S. Soccer’s National 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 96 consecutive years dating back to 1914. It is the oldest annual team tournament in U.S. sports history and among the oldest soccer tournaments of its type in the world. In 1999, the competition was renamed to honor long-time soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.
2010 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE
37 Sept. 1 Columbus Crew (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS) 7:30 p.m. ET Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium; Washington, D.C.
38 Sept. 1 Chivas USA (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) 7:30 p.m. PT Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.
*NOTE: Change of time or venue since original announcement on July 1.
2010 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP POSSIBLE FINAL PAIRINGS
Oct. 5 Columbus Crew – D.C. United Winner at Seattle Sounders 8 p.m. PT Qwest Field; Seattle, Wash.
Oct. 6 Chivas USA at D.C. United 7:30 p.m. ET Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium; Washington, D.C.
Oct. 12 Columbus Crew at Chivas USA 8 p.m. PT The Home Depot Center; Carson, Calif.
