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@TartanDevilsFC @PghRiverhounds Opponents/Schedules Revealed for #USOC2017

The brackets were revealed today for the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup — and two Pittsburgh area teams finally know who they will or might be playing as the tournament kicks off Wednesday, May 10.
In fact, there’s a chance, if Tartan Devils advance to the second round, that they would be the only team in Pittsburgh hosting a second round game.  That’s because the Pittsburgh Riverhounds learned that regardless of results in the first round games, they will be playing on the road at Grand Rapids FC (NPSL) or Chicago FC United (PDL).
The Tartan Devils FC, a local amateur team, earned its way into the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament by advancing in the preliminary round, and today, they learned who they will face in the first round.
On Wednesday, May 10, the Tartan Devils-Avalon FC will take on Derby City Rovers (PDL) at Woehrle Athletic Complex, in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
tartan-devils
The Tartan Devils FC defeated Aromas Cafe FC 3-1 at Rooney Field on the campus of Duquesne University in October in the preliminary round.
If the Tartan Devils FC could pull off the win in the first round, they would get to host one of the top teams in USL, Louisville City FC at Rooney Field.
It was already decided in March when the format for the 2017 tournament was revealed that the Pittsburgh Riverhounds will play a second round match on May 17 — and we now at least know who the teams are who they could play.
Last season was a huge disappointment for Pittsburgh, as they were defeated at home by amateur side Lansdowne Bhoys FC.   In 2015, the Hounds faced Major League Soccer’s DC United, losing 3-1 in overtime and 2014, they lost to Chicago Fire 2-1 in a weather-delayed match that was called after 52 minutes.
 
 
Here’s the schedule/information for this year’s Open Cup:
First Round                  May 9-10 (PDL, NPSL, Open Division clubs enter)
Second Round             May 16-17 (NASL and USL clubs enter)
Third Round                 May 31 (Winners of 26 Second Round games play each other)
Fourth Round               June 14* (Major League Soccer clubs enter)
Round of 16                 June 28* (matches determined by Round of 16 Draw on June 15)
Quarterfinals                July 11 (window of July 7-16 available for consideration)
Semifinals                    Aug. 9*
Final                             Sept. 20

PITTSBURGH’s HISTORY IN U.S. OPEN CUP

In the history of the U.S. Open Cup, two Pittsburgh teams have won the competition: Pittsburgh Morgan SC (1949) and Pittsburgh Harmarville SC (1952, 1956).
 
Dating back to 1914, the U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in United States soccer and is among the oldest in the world. Open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States, the annual U.S. Open Cup is a 100-plus-year-old single-elimination tournament.

ABOUT U.S. OPEN CUP

In a nutshell, the U.S. Open Cup is very similar to domestic cup competitions popular throughout Europe, South America and the rest of the world. Cup competitions, which usually run concurrent with a country’s league season, are open in the early stages to any club that qualifies, giving local amateur teams a chance to compete against the best teams a country has to offer.

RELATED STORIES/VIDEOS 

LANSDOWNE BHOYS UPSET RIVERHOUNDS

RIVERHOUNDS TAKE DC UNITED TO OT, LOSE 3-1

TARTAN DEVILS WIN PRELIMINARY USOC2017 MATCH AT ROONEY FIELD

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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