The hosts for all eight 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third-round
matches were finalized and the fourth-round prospective parings were
announced today by U.S. Soccer. In the third round, eight A-League
teams along with the MetroStars and D.C. United of MLS join the
tournament while the final eight MLS teams will enter in the fourth
round.

All of the third round matches will be played on July 16, and the
fourth round is scheduled for August 6. No host teams have yet been
determined for the fourth round.

Three amateur teams, including two from the United Soccer Leagues'
Premier Development League, have made it through to the third round.
After topping the Utah Blitzz (USL-PSL) 4-0 in the second round, the
Fresno Fuego will travel to face the El Paso Patriots (A-League) at
Dudley Field in El Paso, Texas, at 7 p.m. MT. The winner will face
the Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) in the fourth round. Also from the PDL,
the Mid Michigan Bucks will host an MLS side for the third time since
1999, as the MetroStars travel to Hurley Stadium in Berkley, Mich.,
at 7:30 p.m. ET with the winner advancing to face the Columbus Crew
(MLS).

The other amateur team, the Milwaukee Bavarians of the United States
Adult Soccer Association, will be part of the most intriguing third-
round match up as they face cross-city opponent Milwaukee Wave United
of the A-League in Uihlein Soccer Park at 7 p.m. CT. The winner of
this match will face the Chicago Fire (MLS) in the fourth round.

Also in the third round, two A-League teams – the Seattle Sounders
and host Minnesota Thunder will face off at the National Sports
Center in Blaine, Minn., at 7:30 p.m. CT. The winner of that match
will take on the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in the fourth round.

Two third-round winners will advance to do battle in the fourth
round. D.C. United (MLS) will host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (A-
League) at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, Md., at 7:30 p.m. ET,
with the victor facing the winner of a match between the Carolina
Dynamo (USL-PSL) and the Virginia Beach Mariners (A-League) at
MacPherson Stadium in Browns Summit, N.C., at 7:30 p.m. ET,

In another match hosted by a USL-PSL team in North Carolina, the
Atlanta Silverbacks will face the Wilmington Hammerheads in
Wilmington's Legion Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m. ET for the right to
face the Dallas Burn (MLS) in the fourth round.

The A-League's Rochester Raging Rhinos will host the final third
round match. Their opponent will be either the Chesapeake Dragons
(PDL) or the New Hampshire Phantoms (USL-PSL). The Dragons and
Phantoms will face off in an extra second-round match on July 10,
made necessary because the Dragon's first-round opponent used an
ineligible player. The team advancing from this group will face the
New England Revolution (MLS) in the fourth round.

Finally, the Colorado Rapids will face the Kansas City Wizards in the
only guaranteed all-MLS fourth-round match.