Sporting Kansas City begins 2013 U.S. Open Cup defense May 28

Sporting Kansas City, the defending champion will open play in the third round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 28^th at Sporting Park. The third round is when all 16 U.S. based MLS teams enter the competition this year. Their opponent will be determined on May 21^st as they will face the winner of the matchup between Des Moines Menace (PDL) vs. Minnesota United FC (NASL) at 7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 21 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. The Menace advanced to play Minnesota by defeating the Madison 56ers tonight in Des Moines.

Sporting Kansas City won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2012 by defeating the Seattle Sounders FC in the final at Sporting Park. Previously Sporting KC (Kansas City Wizards) also won the tournament in 2004.

This year marks the 100^th edition of the U.S. Open Cup. The tournament began on May 7 and features 68 teams, the largest field in the modern era. All U.S. based Division I, II and III teams will participate in the tournament proper (16 from Major League Soccer, six from the North American Soccer League and 12 from USL PRO), along with 34 amateur teams from the Adult Council category.