Saint Louis FC learned today that it will play the winner of the Madison Fire and Des Moines Menace in the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on May 20th at Soccer Park, Fenton at 7pm.
USL teams enter the competition in the second round phase and learned of their possible match ups during the first round draw which took place in Chicago on April 8th. Madison Fire of the USASA and Des Moines Menace of the USL professional developement league will play on May 13th at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, IA.
Des Moines Menace interestingly just beat local team St Louis Lions of Cottleville in last years PDL to qualify for the tournament.
Saint Louis FC, will carry on a proud tradition for local teams in this, the third oldest soccer competition in the world. Previous winners from the area include Stix, Baer and Fuller, St Louis Kutis, Simpkins Ford, Ben Millers, Scullin Steel and St Louis Busch Seniors. With these wins in the competition, added to Kansas City Wizards (Sporting KC*) success in 2004 and 2012 gives Missouri teams 4th most wins in the competition behind teams from Pennsylvania, California and New York.
Other notable matchups include Saint Louis FC nearest rivals Louisville City having to either head to Lansing MI, or Chicago IL. to play the winner of the Lansing United v RWB Adria first round tie. In what will be a fierce local rivalry in Michigan, Detroit City will travel to nearby Michigan Bucks.
Cal FC who reached the quarter-final stage in last years surprise run will have to get past San Francisco City FC to continue their US Open Cup exploits.
If STLFC happen to be victorious in their second round match, they will progress to possibly play NASL teams in the third round and then it is the 4th round that MLS teams enter the competition including current title holders Seattle Sounders.
* In 2004 Kansas City Wizards played at Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri, but at Sporting Park in Kansas for their 2012 victory.
