Kickers face Aromas Café FC in Open Cup action tonight at City Stadium

This will be the 18th time the Kickers have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup over the past 23 seasons, with an overall record of 28-16 during tournament play and winning the Cup in 1995.

May 18, 2016; 9:32 AM • by Richard Hayes

Richmond Kickers open the 103rd edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a match-up featuring Aromas Café FC of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA) out of Charlottesville, tonight Wednesday, May 18 at City Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. and for $12 you can get admission and a glass of the Richmond Kickers’ official beer, Kick It Hunny.

Last week Aromas Café FC beat a Richmond Strikers team thus preventing the BATTLE OF RICHMOND that I was so looking forward to seeing. The game was a hard fought match and Aromas managed to advance with a well struck goal in overtime.

According to Richmond Kickers this is who to keep an eye on from C’ville.

Former Richmond Kickers Super Y-League and Premier Development League player, Jake Van Yahres (#16) leads the Aromas offense, adding a pair of goals against US Open Cup veterans Aegean Hawks in qualifying before his overtime game-winning goal against the Richmond Strikers boosted his side to Wednesday’s Second Round matchup. Named Second Team All-District in 2005 and Second Team All-Region in 2004 for Charlottesville High School, he spent one season at American University before transferring to VCU. Midfielder Price Thomas (#6) also spent time with the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club before making 79 appearances during his collegiate career at William & Mary where he amassed 19 goals and 13 assists for 51 points over four years. Former University of Delaware midfielder Luke Oostdyk (#20) made 22 appearances over three seasons, helping Delaware to its first-ever NCAA tournament game his senior year. A native of Lititz, PA, he recently contributed a goal for Aromas Café FC to oust the Aegean Hawks from qualifying and solidify Aromas’ berth to this year’s tournament.

The Kickers are coming of a poor road trip. Losing to Toronto II on Wednesday and then squeaking out a draw against Red Bulls II on Saturday. The boys in red get no rest because on Saturday they face Louisville City FC on Saturday. That’s a bunch of games in a short amount of time so expect to see some unfamiliar faces take the pitch for the Kickers.

Coach Leigh Cowlishaw had this to say.

What the heck is the US Open Cup?

Oh, just the third oldest soccer tournament IN THE WORLD!

The first Open Cup was held in 1913, and while there has been some tweaking here and there, the basic premise remains: teams from all levels of soccer (amateurs to pros) compete against one another.

Think of it like March Madness. That basketball tourney appeals to sports fans because small schools face off against collegiate titans…and sometimes the small schools prevail. Now what if March Madness also included amateur and NBA teams? That’s the Open Cup.

This will be the 18th time the Kickers have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup over the past 23 seasons, with an overall record of 28-16 during tournament play and winning the Cup in 1995. In 2011, the Kickers made it all the way to the semi-finals, beating the Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City and were the first lower division team to defeat back-to-back MLS teams on the road.

Image: James Loving