After playing the El Paso Patriots to a 1-1 draw, the Richmond Kickers captured the 1995 U.S. Open Cup title by defeating the Patriots on penalty kicks 4-2. Photo courtesy of the Richmond Kickers

In 1995, the U.S. Open Cup ended one era, and began another. Since 1967, the teams from the top professional leagues had declined to enter the Open Cup, the NASL at first, followed by the APSL in the 80’s and 90’s. This left the Dewar Cup to be contested solely by the top semi-pro and amateur teams in the nation.  Only a very few USISL teams got involved in the Open Cup, and the APSL actually created their own “Professional Cup” for a single season in 1992. However, with Major League Soccer looming on the horizon, it was time the pro teams got into the act, and the APSL and USISL teams finally joined the party.