Today: 8:30 p.m. Where: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
Notable: This U.S. Open Cup semifinal matches the Kickers against the seventh-place team in MLS' nine-team Eastern Conference. Unlike some of its MLS brethren, Chicago appears to be taking a no-nonsense approach to Open Cup competition. … Richmond earned its berth in the semifinals by posting road victories over two other MLS clubs, Columbus and Sporting Kansas City. Chicago is unbeaten at home (11-0-0) in the final three rounds of Open Cup play. … A priority for the Kickers: pumping energy into an offense that has sputtered down the stretch. In its past five matches, Richmond has produced only two goals in end-to-end play. The ineligibility of forward David Bulow (three yellow cards in Open Cup competition) will not help. … Forward Dominic Oduro, a former VCU standout, leads Chicago in goals (9) and points (20). … Forward Matthew Delicate, another former Ram, led the Kickers with 10 goals and three assists during the 24-game USL PRO regular season. … Tonight's winner will face either FC Dallas or the Seattle Sounders in the Oct. 4 Open Cup title match. More than pride is at stake in the semifinals. The Open Cup champion will receive a $100,000 bonus. The runner-up will receive $50,000. … A loss tonight will end the Kickers' 2011 season. … The match is available at www.chicago-fire.com.
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