The matchups are set for the fourth round of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup, and D.C. United will host North Carolina FC at the Maryland SoccerPlex on Tuesday, June 5 at 7 PM. The Black-and-Red will look to capture their fourth Open Cup championship in the nation’s oldest ongoing soccer competition.
North Carolina FC, members of the USL, defeated PDL side Ocean City Nor’easters 4-1 in the third round for a chance to take on United. The Black-and-Red, along with all other MLS clubs, enter the competition in the fourth round. It will be D.C.'s first non-MLS action of the season, and their first time ever facing NCFC.
In their last Open Cup run, United ended the Cinderella story that was Christos FC, the last amateur side standing in the 2017 competition. After falling behind 1-0 after a perfectly-placed free kick from Christos, D.C. responded with four goals of their own, including the first professional goal for midfielder Ian Harkes in the 4-1 victory at the SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland. The Black-and-Red advanced to face the New England Revolution in the fifth round but fell 2-1 at Harvard. Sporting Kansas City were crowned 2017 champions at Children’s Mercy Park after a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.
D.C. United have won the U.S. Open Cup three times, most recently in 2013. The first came in 1996, when United completed the domestic double, winning the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in their first year as a team. The squad did not allow a goal in the entire competition, capping off their run with a 3-0 championship win over the Rochester Rhinos at RFK Stadium. Raul Diaz Arce, Eddie Pope, and Jaime Moreno each scored in the win.
In 2008, the Black-and-Red captured their second Open Cup championship and the 100th edition of the competition in a 2-1 victory over the Charleston Battery. Brazilians Luciano Emilio and Fred each scored in front of the home crowd at RFK Stadium to secure another trophy for United.
D.C. won their third Open Cup in 2013 with a 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. English midfielder Lewis Neal scored the team’s only shot on target at the end of the first half to put United on top, and goalkeeper Bill Hamid was named Man of the Match for his clean sheet effort.
D.C. will have another chance to play in front of a local home crowd at the Maryland SoccerPlex in their Open Cup contest on Tuesday, and fans will have another opportunity to see the Black-and-Red in the DMV prior to their inaugural match at Audi Field on July 14. Tickets are available for purchase here.
