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The Basics
2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Second Round

Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Jacksonville United (NPSL)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 7:00 p.m.

Patton Park, Jacksonville, Fla.

Tickets are $5 with a $5 parking fee. Tickets are available on site or click here to purchase in advance.

What's at Stake
The winner of the match will face Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids in the third round next Tuesday, May 29. With a victory, the Rowdies would host the Rapids at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. Fans can purchase tickets now at 813-287-1539 or by clicking here.

Rowdies in Open Cup
Tampa Bay last participated in the Open Cup in 2010, winning a first-round match at Legends FC in Dallas, 3-0, on June 15 before losing at Miami FC, 2-1 in overtime, in the second round on June 22. Current Rowdies defender Takuya Yamada saw action for the Rowdies in the second round game at Lockhart Stadium.

Scouting Jacksonville United
Jacksonville United advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 victory over the Orlando City U-23s last Tuesday night. Jacksonville United captured the 2011 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) title and owns a 2-1 record so far in 2012.

Quotable
Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill

On Jacksonville United
“We’re playing Jacksonville United tomorrow night and I went to see them play last week against Orlando. They’re a young, enthusiastic side, and they have some talented players. We know it’s going to be a very tough game because in essence this will be their Cup Final. They’re playing against a professional side and they want to show the whole world, and America in particular, that they have talent beneath the professional clubs.”

On the U.S. Open Cup
"It’s a fantastic traditional and historic competition. It’s akin to the English FA Cup, which involves all clubs and whatever their status is. I had the great fortune to play here with the Rowdies in the 90’s and we managed to get to the U.S. Open Cup Final and play the Colorado Foxes. Unfortunately we lost 3-1 on that occasion in Colorado. We went a man down after 15 minutes and we played with 10 men for the remainder of the game, and that was too much of a burden for us to overcome."

About the Open Cup
The 99th edition of the U.S. Open Cup includes a 64-team field, which represents the largest in the modern era (1995 to present), eclipsing the previous record of 42 teams set in 2005 and 2006.

All Division I, II and III professional clubs are participating in the tournament proper for the first time ever. The Division I field includes all 16 U.S.-based Major League Soccer teams, which is double the representation from the past five years and the first time since 2006 that all Division I teams will take part. Meanwhile, all six U.S.-based North American Soccer League teams (Division II) and all 10 U.S.-based USL PRO teams (Division III) complete the balance of the 32 professional sides competing (also a modern record). This 2012 competition marks the first year that clubs representing the NASL will participate in America’s oldest national soccer tournament.

The amateur entries feature 32 teams from various leagues with the U.S. Adult Soccer Association (including USASA regional qualifiers, the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League and the National Premier Soccer League) and US Club Soccer.

All 2012 U.S. Open Cup matches until the final are scheduled for Tuesdays, with the championship taking place on either Tuesday, Aug. 7, or Wednesday, Aug. 8. In the first round, 32 amateur-level sides are paired geographically, with the restriction that teams from the same qualifying pool (meaning USASA regional qualifiers, PDL and NPSL) cannot be paired. The first-round winners face Division II or Division III clubs in the second round based on geographic proximity. Second-round winners play Division I clubs in the third round, matched on a geographic basis.

The opening portion of the U.S. Open Cup schedule will occur in rapid fashion as the first four rounds take place in back-to-back weeks from May 15 to June 5. The quarterfinals are set for June 26, the semifinals for July 10, and the final for Aug. 7 or 8. The majority of the tournament will have only a minimal overlap with CONCACAF Champions League play.

2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule (Per Round)
May 15: First Round
May 22: Second Round
May 29: Third Round
June 5: Fourth Round
June 26: Quarterfinals
July 10: Semifinals
Aug. 7 or 8: Final

Up Next
With a victory over Jacksonville United, Tampa Bay would host Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids on Tuesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium in the third round.

Tampa Bay returns to NASL action this Friday, May 25 when it hosts Minnesota on Military Appreciation Night at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. The first 500 fans will receive the official 2012 team photo, courtesy of Fast Signs of Fowler. For ticket information, call 813-287-1539 or click here.