CREW SC SET FOR ROUND OF 16 TEST
Crew SC plays in the Round of 16 in the 102nd edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament on Tuesday following its victory over the Richmond Kickers (USL) in the Fourth Round. The U.S. Open Cup features a record number of 91 teams, an increase from the 80 that competed last year, marking the largest field in the modern era (1995-present). Crew SC won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup as the Black & Gold defeated the LA Galaxy 1-0 to win the club’s first-ever tournament title in front of its home fans at MAPFRE Stadium on October 24, 2002. The Black & Gold also reached the Open Cup Final in the club’s first appearance in the tournament in 1998 and most recently in 2010.
HISTORY AGAINST ORLANDO
Tuesday’s Round of 16 meeting in the 102nd Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will be the third contest between the Black & Gold and the Lions in all competitions, and the first-ever in the U.S. Open Cup. Crew SC is unbeaten against Orlando in Major League Soccer regular-season play with a 1-0-1 record against the Lions. Crew SC defeated Orlando City SC 3-0 in the first-ever meeting between the two at MAPFRE Stadium on April 18. The sides played to a 2-2 draw in the Black & Gold’s first-ever match at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on May 30.
LAST LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP MATCH
Columbus Crew SC defeated the Richmond Kickers (USL) 3-1 in the Fourth Round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 17. Held at Richmond City Stadium, Adam Bedell scored his first professional brace and Ethan Finlay added the game-winning goal to fuel the Black & Gold. Brad Stuver started in net for Columbus, which was playing against Richmond for the third time in club history.
NEW ROUND OF 16 DRAW PROCEDURE
The U.S. Open Cup featured a new procedure to determine matchups following the Fourth Round. Following the completion of Fourth Round matches, the sixteen winners regardless of league affiliation were divided geographically into groups of four. Crew SC was drawn alongside Orlando City SC, the Chicago Fire and the Charlotte Independence in the South Region. Should the Black & Gold advance, they would play on the road against the winner of the Chicago/Charlotte clash.
LOOKING TO ADVANCE TO QUARTERFINALS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2010
With a win over Orlando, the Black & Gold would advance to the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time since 2010, when they made it all the way to the Final. In each of the past two seasons, Crew SC bowed out in the Round of 16 to the Chicago Fire, with both clashes taking place in Bridgeview. While the format of the tournament has changed over the years, Crew SC has played in the de facto Round of 16 on 14 previous occasions. All-told, Crew SC has advanced to the Quarterfinals six times in club history, including five straight appearances from 1998-2002.
ORLANDO’S PATH TO THE ROUND OF 16
Along with Columbus Crew SC and all other United States-based MLS clubs, Orlando City SC entered the tournament in the Fourth Round, where it defeated the Charleston Battery (USL) 8-7 in penalty kicks after a 4-4 draw through regular and extra time. In regulation, Lewis Neal scored in the 63rd minute, while Carlos Rivas tallied penalty kicks in minutes 76, 94 and 105+2 to give Orlando its four tallies. In the shootout, Danny Mwanga scored the final and decisive spot kick to fuel the Lions’ win.
WHERE TO WATCH
Crew SC's Round of 16 Match vs. Orlando City will be streamed live via U.S. Soccer's YouTube channel. Tune in for kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
