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D.C. United Leads Eight MLS Teams into 1997 U.S. Open Cup Tournament

NEW YORK (Friday, June 13, 1997) - Major League Soccer Commissioner Douglas G. Logan announced today that eight MLS teams, including defending MLS Cup '96 and 1996 U.S. Open Cup champ D.C. United, head the list of 32 clubs vying for the United States' oldest soccer title.

Four teams from each MLS conference will persue the U.S. Open Cup's 84th title: the MetroStars, New England Revolution, Tampa Bay Mutiny, and D.C. United from the Eastern Conference, and the Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wizards, and San Jose Clash from the Western Conference. The Columbus Crew (East) and Los Angeles Galaxy (West) will not participate because of scheduling dificulties.

The eight MLS participants (twice the number that entered the tournament in 1996) will recieve byes into Round Three, where they compete July 23-31 against the eight teams who have emerged from rounds one and two. Round One consists of games between USISL D3 (USSF Professional Division III) and USASA (Amateur) or USISL Premier Development (Amateur) teams, with those winners advancing to play eight A-League (USSF Profesional Division II) teams in Round Two.

D.C. United defeated the A-League's Rochester Rhinos, 3-0, in the 1996 U.S. Open Cup final, earning $100,000 in prize money and becoming the first national power to win the crown. United also was the second consecutive Open Cup champion to have captured its league title (the Richmond Kickers won the tournament in 1995, after taking the USISL's Division III Premier League title that same year).

The U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals are scheduled for August 13-21, with the semi-finals on August 30 and the Championship match to be played on either September 1 or September 7, depending on the MLS teams participating in the final game. Dates and sites for games involving MLS squads will be announced at a future time.

1997 U.S. OPEN CUP SCHEDULE DATES

Round One	June 18 - 24	Eight USISL D3 teams	vs.	Eight (8) USASA/USISL PDSL teams
Round Two	July 2 - 8	Eight (8) Round One winners	vs.	Eight (8) A-League teams
Round Three	July 23 - 31	Eight (8) Round Two winners	vs.	Eight (8) MLS teams
Quarterfinals	August 13 - 21	Eight (8) Round Three winners
Semifinals	August 30	Four (4) Quarterfinal winners
Championship	September 1	(if a non-MLS team is in the Final)
	or
	September 7	(if both teams in Final are from MLS)

Olney/Bethesda Soccer League (OBSL) Formed

The Bethesda Soccer Club and the Olney Soccer Club have combined forces to create the Olney/Bethesda Soccer League (OBSL) for the purpose of creating a competitive league for U-9 and U10 boys and girls beginning in the fall of 1997. This league has been formed specifically for the development of talented younger soccer players, and will not affect the status of players who continue to play on their local house or recreational teams. The players will play in a 7 v 7 format, on a home field, challenged by other developmental teams from Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. Coaches who would call Bethesda Soccer Club at 301 340-9623, or Olney Soccer Club at 301 774-9208.

RFK, Jack Kent Cooke Stadium Bid for World Cup

RFK Stadium and the soon-to-be opened Jack Kent Cooke Stadium are two of the 15 venues which have bid to host 1999 FIFA Womens World Cup matches. Other locations include Spartan Stadium and Stanford Stadium (single bid), Legion Field (Birmingham, AL), Foxboro Stadium, Ericsson Stadium (Charlotte, NC), Soldier Field (Chicago), Cotton Bowl, L.A. Coliseum, Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Giants Stadium, Sun Devil Stadium (Phoenix), and Civic Stadium (Portland). Each application will be evaluated on criteria that includes overall stadium facilities, potential civic and government support, a history of community involvement in major soccer events, and womens sports and population demographics.

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