We Want the Cup

Tomorrow KC continues their busy schedule with their Open Cup quarterfinal against the Richmond Kickers at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Once again KC is playing their 3rd game in the span of a week when the USL-Pro team (US third division) comes into town. The Kickers will also be playing their 3rd game in a week, as they played a home and home series with the Charlotte Eagles on Friday and Saturday night this past week, and now travel to KC. The Kickers have two of the top goalscorers in this year's competition in David Bulow and Matthew Delicate have 5 and 3 goals respectively. The Kickers also feature two former Wizards on their team, Edson Elcock a 2007 second round pick, and Yomby William a 2008 second round pick. To get to this point, the Kickers defeated two other USL-Pro teams, Dayton and Pittsburgh, before beating the Crew in the third round a few weeks ago.

KC's busy schedule will begin to catch up with them eventually and the team's current unbeaten run will end sooner than later, but it shouldn't end tomorrow night. Even with more of a reserve lineup starting the game, this game should be KC's. I say should be, because KC hasn't always had a stellar history in the Open Cup. While they have more wins than losses in the tournament, they don't always perform well, especially against lower division sides. This is only the second time KC has played a team from the USA's third division, last time they lost to the San Francisco Bay Seals in 1997. Still I expect a reserve lineup, Shavar Thomas, Teal Bunbury, Luke Sassano I all expect to be starting.

Kronberg
Harrington - Thomas - Collin - Lorenz
Sassano - Diop - Stojcev
Kamara - Bunbury - Aiyegbusi

Number to Remember - 3 - Three wins away from winning silverware and it starts tomorrow. Just keep winning and KC has the chance at silverware.

Key Match Up - Teal Bunbury vs Richmond back line - Bunbury looked better his last time out, but still has struggled to break out of his slump. Hopefully another game against a lower division side will give Bunbury a chance to do this.

PREDICTION - The higher division side should be able to win match ups against teams two divisions below them. But that's not always the case as previous trips into the Open Cup have shown for KC. Both teams will likely have a few tired legs due to their schedules, but KC not having to travel will be a big point, and KC should just have the talent to be able to get this result.

SKC - 2 (Bunbury, Kamara)
RICH - 1 (Delicate)