What: Des Moines (2-0-1) vs. Minnesota United FC (2-2-2) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the University of Minnesota's Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. Live broadcast available online at www.mnunitedfc.com.
Preview: United, mired in a 0-2-1 slump, looks to earn a victory in the second round of the 100th annual Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the nation's oldest ongoing soccer tournament. The game could not be held at the National Sports Center stadium in Blaine because prolonged winter weather damaged the grass. It's a rematch of last season's game, which ended in a 2-0 Minnesota victory. The winner advances to play at defending Open Cup champion Sporting Kansas City of MLS on May 28.
United FC at a glance: Minnesota battled back from a fourth-consecutive halftime deficit last Saturday at the Metrodome but Tampa Bay scored in the 90th minute and won 3-2. … Simone Bracalello scored his team-leading third goal of the season. … Bracalello and Miguel Ibarra each scored against the Menace last season as Minnesota won on the road.
Des Moines at a glance: The Menace plays in the United Soccer Leagues Premiere Development League, the top-level men's amateur soccer league in the United States. … Des Moines has scored one goal in each of its first three games and allowed just one.
DAVID LA VAQUE
