Here is the strangely (to me, anyway) worded description of the game on mlsnet...

http://www.mlsnet.com/games/03/tracker.php?gamename=08272003_DCZZZ&version=recap

Examples:

Quote:

"Wilmington substituted fresh legs in the form of four new players early in the second stanza."

and

Quote:

"United, however, were unabashed in their quest to control the game through possession and class."

Gads, what monsters hath English 101 spawned?

Fantastic crowd at the game last night. I was glad to see more sombreros in the stands, too. ]

What a classy sport we follow!

Great game. Hammerheads showed well. Mixed emotions here also. As well as being long time DCU fan, Ryan Nelsen played two years at Greensboro College and got to know him pretty well during that time. BTW, he was very complimentary of the Hammerheads. DCU players enjoyed the atmosphere of the game a lot.

I sat over behind the Port City Firm and enjoyed the game immensely. We absolutely need more of that in the US. DCU fans were great, but Port City beat them hands down. "A rope, a tree, that ain't no referee," is just one of many.

Just a note to any that may travel to watch a game in Wilmington. If you are a true soccer fan go across field and sit in the stands behind benches. That's were you will find Port City Firm. Worth the price of admission.

This game was truly a high mark in US Open Cup history. Well done Wilmington on a great run.

Yes, great evening in Wilmington. A couple carloads of Battery fans made the trip up. If one of our riders had been on time, we would have gotten there sooner. Plus, a 20 minute chat with one of N. Myrtle Beach's finest didn't help our schedule. And to add insult to injury, we had just gotten passed by a pimply face pizza delivery boy in a beat up red Pinto. So, I'm sure it was his speed that was clocked on the gun. Oh well, that's what you get when you drive a big a$$ Suburban, you're the biggest hog in the pen.

On to the game. Bagley was with us and he pointed you (Chris Caron) out to me, I'm sorry I didn't wander over and introduce myself to you. The concessions stands were hopping, ran out of beer on several occasions. We started in the small stand with the Mexicans and the DCU fans. Very lively atmosphere, everyone in the stands were on their feet. A lot of chanting. DCU came out very aggressive and Wilmington gave them too much space, IMHO, but players recovered well. The shot was an absolute cannon after a good reaching punch save. Lots of bodies in the box, unfortunate that Cerritos found the space.

The 2nd half was back and forth, very entertaining, you had several good chances, a couple balls cleared out right before going in. Overall, a very fun evening, great for soccer, great for Wilmington, I hope you get some new season ticket sales. Met your coach and owner, classy people who seemed to be enjoying themselves, even in defeat.

Finally, Earnie Stewart's shirt is in Charleston, in the possession of one of the Battery player's girlfriend who got it from him after the match.

I wouldn't have minded Ben Olsen's jersey...I should have sent my wife after it.

Out of all the descriptions of the match I like yours best so far.

Now I understand that Charleston is getting two more Hammers for the playoff run...

Just wanted to send out Kudos to the Hammerheads and their organization an owners. What a great group of fans and players ya'll have. The hospitality that was afforded the Battery folks that came up was 1st class.

The hammers had several opportunities in the match to even things up and just came up on the un-lucky side. I can assure you DC United new they were in a real match by the end of the night.

And yes Bribetaker if you had been on time that Cop would have gotten someone other than me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We arrived early of course due to my excellent driving skills. Legion stadium has an attractive facade - the pitch is very wide - no running track - I dare say it makes a far better Soccer venue than an American Football venue & it's certainly superior to many A-League pitches. The pitch was in good shape although the staff said it had suffered recently from some low-level club football. Crowd arrives late in Wilmington - there was a large contingent of taligaters pre-match & a few post match.

I never saw the fans in the smaller stands sit down thruout the entire match - great, lively supporters. Indeed DC did press thruout most of the first half, save a Wilmington shot that went off the crossbar & a seperate incident in the DC box that turned into a good little scrap - Platz ran the length of the field & it was still going on when he arrived so that tells you in was an extended little "scrum". Hammerheads never quit & I saw more hard tackles in the first half of that match than the last 4 or 5 A-League matches I've seen combined. Second half was about even - with Hammerheads having the better chances - With my totally unobstructed view from the VIP tent it's possible we saw an an uncalled handball by our beloved MLS Ref in the DC box but all in all he called a good match otherwise. Wilmington & it's facility is hands down better than at least 50% of the A-League. Keen is still very sharp - Platz very sound - Kevin is excellent(going to Vahh-Beach BTW) - the central defender is also very good - & it was great to see Henry the backup-keeper from my old Hanahan Soccer Club & The Citadel in a Wimington jersey - all these guys have found a very good soccer-home.

I'm told a few Wilmington players may be picked up by The Battery for post-season play. I too had the pleasure of meeting one or 2 of the owners & several fans, great guys with a great love of the game. The GM & Ross the assistant GM were flying around working hard so we could enjoy the match. Speaking of working hard Wilmington has a cute little Dance Team - God would not have created Spandex if he didn't intend it to be used - The Battery could take at least one lesson there... let's just say there was no shortage of "talent" at this match.

The DC United players showed a lot of class post-match - swamped by young fans before they could even get off the pitch to the showers they gave away their jersey's & signed many autographs - after showering they came back out & signed more autographs - this was a great event for the Wilmington soccer fan.

Talked with David Irving pre & post match - what a great guy & a great coach - the players, fans & owners love him & he loves Wilmington. He has the utmost respect for Chris Ramsey & The Battery & was very complimentary of the relationship between the Charleston & Wilmington clubs - indeed both clubs have benefitted.

I have to say I loved it too - Bill, one of the Owners was talking about how they celebrated after winning the Championship last week & the great feeling it was for the club & their fans - I immediately got goose bumps remembering The Battery Championship in 1996 - They are having a lot of fun in Wilmington - they deserve it - I'll be back...

Oh, just admit it. You're pi$$ed that you got dusted by a prepubescent punk in a ratty red Pinto. After rolling through a red light and blowing by 2-3 cops already, some might say you were due. You only get so many silver bullets.....

And Buck, I'm not surprised you had such a good time. You ought to leave your rarified air, ivory tower, prawn sandwich eating, Dom Perignon sipping crowd more often and come down and mingle with the common man. Don't you remember the movie Titantic? The folks in steerage know how to throw a party.

Get a rope get a tree lets hang the referee!
Yeah the "handball" was visible to the Firm, even though we've been caged so to speak in the back, not exactly VIP seating, but we dont care.
Sounds like everyone had a good time, the Port City Firm does rule, thanks to Dustin and Eric Firm founders and all the rowdys who participate.
Thanks to our "English division" for the pre-game pizza too! See ya at the Pub.
GO HAMMERS! WHAT A GREAT SEASON!
Will the sombreros show up at regular season games now?

Scott Bales photos of the match are up at the Yellow Card Journalism website. Andy Mead usually does the honors of announcing the posting, but he may not be familiar with this Wilmington forum.

http://www.ibiblio.org/footy/2003/0827_wil_dc_sab.php