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Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup comes to Frisco for first time
BY ANDREW MAY, Staff Writer
A decade has come and gone since FC Dallas last won a championship.
The Hoops have a prime opportunity to end that drought Wednesday against New England in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final at Pizza Hut Park. It seems only fitting that the spell could be snapped in a tournament named in honor of one of professional soccer’s greatest pioneers, a man that owned the team and helped finance the stadium it plays in prior to his passing in December.
“It has a special meaning for us to be playing in the final,” FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock said. “We are continuing to try to win a championship in [Lamar’s] honor.”
The organization built a massive trophy shop when Pizza Hut Park was erected, and is now looking for some hardware to help fill it.
“We feel it is important for us to win championships,” Hitchcock said. “To be able to win this championship would add a special meaning in our former owner’s honor. We are working hard to turn this game into a special event.”
FCD advanced to the finals for the second time in three years by knocking off the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Sunday in the semifinals. Carlos Ruiz broke the scoreless deadlock in extra time with a goal less than two minutes into overtime. The Hoops found a second score in the 119th minute when forward Abe Thompson converted a penalty kick after being brought down by Zach Scott in the box. The Sounders answered back in stoppage time on a goal by Leighton O’Brien, but couldn’t find the equalizer. New England advanced by defeating the Carolina Railhawks in the other semifinal earlier in the day.
“There are two national championships we play for,” said Hitchcock, referring to the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup. “We entered the season wanting to win for our wonderful fans and the great city of Frisco. To be able to host this means the world to us.”
Hitchcock is hoping for a turnout in excess of 10,000, many of whom will be affiliated with the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is holding a networking event prior to the 7:30 p.m. start for members, family and friends.
“We are encouraging members to come out and celebrate a championship game,” said John Land, chamber president and CEO. “It is a real honor to have this in Frisco. As a community, it is something we are all jazzed up about.”
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will crown its champion for the first time without its namesake in attendance. Hitchcock hopes the Hoops will put on a show Hunt would have been proud of, and hoist the Dewar Cup for the first time in a decade.
“We feel an obligation to be leaders and continue to push the sport forward,” Hitchcock said. “What would Lamar do?”
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