US Open Cup NewsNext up in our 1995 #USOpenCup Rewind Series, the other Semifinal where the amateur @richmondkickers.bsky.social hosted the Chicago Stingers (USISL Pro League). Which team would meet the El Paso Patriots in the Final? It was a wild one.
Hop in our time machine & enjoy the game thread below
The Richmond Kickers were hosting their 3rd straight #USOpenCup match, and were set to host the "Sizzlin 4" (USISL Premier League semifinals) next weekend. Did they have enough magic left to pull off another pro team upset? Chicago were coming off of upsetting the NY Centaurs on an 89th min. winner
#USOC1995 Semifinals: Richmond Kickers 1:0 Chicago Stingers - 1st min.
Before the more than 4,500 fans could get settled in their seats at U of Richmond Stadium, the Kickers scored. 34 seconds in, Scott Snyder, with his back turned to goal, found Brian Kamler with a back heel pass & Kamler scored.
a man in a yellow shirt and ti...
a man in a yellow shirt and ti...
#USOC1995 Semifinals: Richmond Kickers 1:1 Chicago Stingers - 12th min.
11 mins later, Kickers defender Mike Clark misplayed a high ball and Chicago’s Don D’Ambra took control of it and beat Kickers GK Jeff Causey to tie the game. D'Ambra was a standout player for indoor side Milwaukee Wave
#USOC1995 Semifinals: Richmond Kickers 2:1 Chicago Stingers - 38th min
Richmond got back in front when former #WatfordFC academy player Jon Hall blasted a shot from distance. Hall, who played at #MillwallFC in his native England before joining the Kickers, played his college ball at American Univ.
#USOC1995 Semifinals: Richmond Kickers 2:2 Chicago Stingers - 45th min
Before halftime, Chicago tied the game when Richmond’s Kevin Scott pushed David Richardson in the box. Steve Morris stepped up and scored the PK. It was the 2nd goal of the tournament for Morris, another Milwaukee Wave standout.
#USOC1995 Semifinals: Richmond Kickers 2:2 Chicago Stingers - 58th min
About 15 minutes into the 2nd half a scuffle broke out that involved nearly every player on the field. Matt Knowles, signed by Chicago days before the game, was sent off after punching Richmond's Ben Crawley in the nose.
a group of men are dancing and...
a group of men are dancing and...
#USOC1995 Semifinals: Richmond Kickers 3:2 Chicago Stingers - 69th min
Richmond, playing with a man advantage, once again took the lead in the 69th minute when Scott Snyder headed home a free kick from Jon Hall.
#USOC1995 Semifinals: Richmond Kickers 3:3 Chicago Stingers - 88th min
With 2 mins left, it looked like the Kickers were on their way to a 2nd straight pro team upset, but the Stingers would tie the game for a 3rd time. Dom D’Ambra scored his 2nd goal after taking a pass from Steve Morris
#USOC1995 Semifinals: Richmond Kickers 4:3 Chicago Stingers - 89th min
Rob Ukrop entered the game in the 69th min, despite having a broken cheekbone that was a long way from healed. 20 mins later, Ukrop drew a foul that led to Ben Crawley scoring what would be the game-winning PK in the 89th min.
Despite having a lead in the game disappear three times, the Richmond Kickers, an amateur side from the USISL Premier League, beat the Chicago Stingers 4-3 to become the first Virginia-based club to reach the #USOpenCup Final.
@chucknolanjr.bsky.social's game recap: thecup.us/2025/08/28/1...