Sporting to Host Minnesota in US Open Cup Fourth Round

Sporting KC knows their opponent for their fourth round US Open Cup match on Wednesday June 18th. The team will play NASL side, Minnesota United, who defeated USASA qualifier, the Des Moines Menace 1-0 tonight in Des Moines.

The Loons controlled the game for most of the game based off the feed I was able to get, but couldn't find a goal, being denied by the post and by Des Moines' goalkeeper. It took until the 86th minute when substitute, Christian Ramirez finally found the back of the net giving United the lead that they deserved.

The two teams will not meet in the middle of both teams' breaks that both leagues are taking during the World Cup. Sporting's last game is on June 6th in Houston while Minnesota's last game is a day later on June 7th in Tampa. So both teams should be able to play their best available players for the game.

This game will be the first time that these two teams meet up, but the third time that Kansas City will play a team from Minnesota. Sporting lost to the Minnesota Thunder in 2005 3-1 at Park University and then drew with the Thunder in Minnesota in 2009, advancing 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw.

The game will be the first one played on Sporting Park's new service that is set to be installed on June 2nd.