PEORIA, Ill. -- The Butcher Block at Junction City proudly presents the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup:  Bradley Soccer head coach Jim DeRose announced during a press conference Thursday afternoon at the Butcher Block that Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire will begin the pursuit of its fifth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship in Peoria June 10 at Shea Stadium. 

In what is believed to be a local first, two major American professional sports teams will meet in a meaningful game in Central Illinois when the Chicago Fire faces one of its MLS rivals, either the Columbus Crew or Real Salt Lake, in a play-in game of the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.  Sponsored locally by the Butcher Block at Junction City, the game will kick off at 7 p.m. June 10 at Bradley Soccer’s fifth-year stadium.  Tickets will cost $25 for assigned seating in the main bleachers or $15 for general admission lawn seating beyond the endlines and will go on sale May 14 at the Shea Stadium Box Office or online through the Bradley Athletic Department’s official website, www.BradleyBraves.com.

“Bringing prime, professional sporting events to Peoria is an enhancement for our whole community,” said Alexis Khazzam of Junction City Ventures.  “Peoria has a very strong soccer backing and the opportunity to see two pro teams play an elimination cup game might be the largest-scale sporting event to be played in our city’s history.

“Junction City is proud to participate in supporting Coach DeRose and his efforts to increase the image of soccer, the most-played game in the world, in our community,” Khazzam added.  “June 10th will be a special day in Peoria’s long, athletic tradition.”

“We are excited about playing this game at Bradley University in Peoria,” said Frank Klopas, technical director of the Chicago Fire.  “It will be a great opportunity for soccer fans in Central Illinois to see us play a game that has significant meaning as we begin to make a run at another U.S. Open Cup.”

The winner of the game will advance to the tournament’s round of 16.

With $100,000 on the line for the tournament champion, the MLS teams are expected to roster most of their top players for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games.  The Chicago Fire features one of the Latin America’s most popular players, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, who also stars for the Mexican National Team and was a finalist for MLS Most Valuable Player in his first year with the Fire in 2007.  In addition to Blanco, the Chicago Fire roster features six players who have combined for 30 U.S. Senior National Team appearances -- C.J. Brown (15), Jon Busch (1), Diego Gutierrez (1), Justin Mapp (8), Chris Rolfe (4) and John Thorrington (1) -- as well as international veterans Tomasz Frankowski (Poland) and Andy Herron (Costa Rica).

Although only in its 11th year of existence the Chicago Fire already owns five domestic championships, winning four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups (1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006), as well as the 1998 MLS Cup.  Chicago also was the runner-up in the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as well as the MLS Cup in 2000 and 2003.

Real Salt Lake defeated former Bradley star Gavin Glinton’s San Jose Earthquake, 4-0, April 30 in a U.S. Open Cup qualifying game.  Columbus will host Real Salt Lake in the final qualifying round May 27 to determine Chicago’s opponent in the June 10 game at Shea Stadium.  While Real Salt Lake is a fourth-year MLS expansion team, Columbus is an MLS charter organization.  The Crew won the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and was the runner-up in 1998.  Columbus has opened the 2008 MLS season with a 5-1-0 record and the Crew currently lead the Eastern Conference with 15 points.

Recognized as the US Soccer Federation’s national championship, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup dates back to 1914, making it the oldest soccer cup competition in the country and one of the oldest in the world.  The 95th annual tournament is open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States.  Following play-in competition, the 40-team field for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will be comprised of eight teams from five divisions:  MLS, United Soccer Leagues First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League and United States Adult Soccer Association.

Located at the site of the former Pete Vonachen Stadium at Meinen Field at 1523 W. Nebraska Avenue in Peoria, Shea Stadium has served as the home field for Bradley Soccer since the start of the 2003 season.  The Braves have hosted two NCAA Tournament first-round games (2005 and 2007), as well as 12 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament games, at Shea Stadium.

 

The Butcher Block Proudly Presents the 2008 U.S. Open Cup -- Fact Sheet

What:  Two Major League Soccer teams -- Chicago Fire against either Columbus Crew or Real Salt Lake -- will meet in a play-in game for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

When:  June 10 • 7 p.m (CST)

Where:  Shea Stadium • 1523 W. Nebraska Ave., Peoria, IL

Tickets:  $25 for reserved bleacher seating or $15 for general admission lawn seating, beginning May 14 at the Shea Stadium Box Office (9 a.m.) or online at www.BradleyBraves.com (10 a.m.).  Game day parking will be $5 at Shea Stadium.

Park and Ride:  In addition to $5 on-site parking at Shea Stadium, Junction City (5901 N. Prospect Road) will be a Park and Ride location.  The Park and Ride cost also will be $5, but fans may receive a voucher for free Park and Ride service with a $10 purchase from The Butcher Block.

About the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup:  Recognized as the U.S. Soccer Federation’s national championship, the 95th annual tournament is the oldest soccer cup competition in the United States and one of the oldest in the world.  The tournament is modeled after the English Football Association (F.A.) Cup.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is open to all U.S. Soccer Federation affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States and the final 40-team field for the 2008 event will be comprised of eight teams from five divisions:  Major League Soccer, United Soccer Leagues First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League and United States Adult Soccer Association.

The 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion will receive a $100,000 reward to be divided among the participating players.

About the Chicago Fire:  Now in its 11th year of operation, the Chicago Fire is one of 14 active Major League Soccer franchises.  The Fire already own five domestic championships, winning four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups (1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006) and the 1998 MLS Cup.  The 2008 Chicago Fire roster Tone of the Latin America’s most popular players, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, as well as six players who have combined for 30 U.S. Senior National Team appearances -- C.J. Brown (15), Jon Busch (1), Diego Gutierrez (1), Justin Mapp (8), Chris Rolfe (4) and John Thorrington (1).  The Fire roster also includes international veterans Tomasz Frankowski (Poland) and Andy Herron (Costa Rica).

Currently with 14 points based on its 4-1-1 record, Chicago is second in the MLS Eastern Conference standings.

Second-Round Play-In Game:  Columbus will host Real Salt Lake May 27, 6:30 p.m. (CST), for the right to face Chicago June 10 at Shea Stadium.

About the Columbus Crew:  Columbus is a charter MLS franchise.  The Crew won the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Columbus was the runner-up to Chicago in 1998.  The Crew currently owns the best record in MLS, leading the Eastern Conference with 16 points on the strength of a 5-1-1 record.

About Real Salt Lake:  Real Salt Lake is a fourth-year MLS expansion franchise.  Although now playing for the Charleston Battery in the USL First Division, former Bradley midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer was a fourth-round selection by RSL in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft and was part of the starting 11 in the franchise’s inaugural home game during the 2005 season.  Real Salt Lake began its 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competition April 30 with a 4-0 victory versus the expansion San Jose Earthquakes.

Real Salt Lake (1-3-2) is currently tied for fourth in the MLS Western Conference standings with five points.