The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup may not have the allure of its English counterpart, the FA Cup, but it’s still one of the oldest competitions in the world, now in it’s 94th year (out-dating the main cup competitions in both Germany and Italy by years). But even though it’s fun and unpredictable cup football, when one of the notable claims to tradition of the tournament is the triple victories achieved in 1980, 1982, and 1983 by the (no kidding) New York Pancyprian Freedoms — well, it’s safe to say that the tournament is going to have some difficulty drawing significant interest. Cue the D.C. United supporters who rarely disappoint — the small crowd of 6,797 was at it’s throaty best, voicing for a crowd twice as large. It’s no wonder that United responded in kind, overwhelming the New England Revolution 3-1 to move on to the 2008 Open Cup final.

The Revs, who had been 14-5-6 in all competitions entering the game — impressively only losing twice on the road — drew United 2-2 in MLS play in May. But for this semifinal, New England was absent their scrappy, all-star central defender Michael Parkhurst (filling one of the United States three overage slots at the Olympics), MLS Best XI goalie Matt Reis, and stalwart captain Steve Ralston. In fact, the Revolution only featured four available substitutes — hardly fielding an A team. United, on the other hand, used a full first team squad including recent Honduran addition Ivan Guerrero and the returning-from-injury Gonzalo Peralta.