Commerce City, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids learned today that they will face either the Tampa Bay Rowdies or Jacksonville United in the Third Round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 29. Jacksonville (National Premier Soccer League - amatuer) will host Tampa Bay (North American Soccer League - Division II) in the second round next Tuesday, May 22 at Patton Park in Jacksonville, Florida (5:30 pm MT).
If Jacksonville defeats Tampa, Jacksonville will travel to face Colorado at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on May 29 (7 pm MT). If Tampa Bay defeats Jacksonville, the Rapids will travel to Florida to face the Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg on May 29 (5:30 MT).
In yesterday's first round of the tournament, Jacksonville United defeated the Orlando City U-23s (PDL) 2-1 at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla. to set up their date with the Rowdies in the second round.
The 99th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup includes a random selection process for determining home teams from the first round through the quarterfinals among clubs that have applied to host. The process, conducted by a coin flip, gives participating teams with venues meeting tournament standards an equal chance at hosting their possible opponent for these rounds.
The first round concluded on Tuesday, May 15, and 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 are taking part.
The Rapids will take part in the nation's oldest tournament for the first time since 2007.
Ticket information should the Rapids host the Third Round match will be made available at a later date.
