Remaining Schedule  May 24 Pittsburgh at Cleveland Wilmington at Real Maryland   Minimum Point Percentage Possibilities Wilmington Win - 27%, Draw - 13%, Loss - 7%   Pittsburgh Win - 24%, Draw - 14%, Loss - 10%

With their 3-2 come from behind win over the Cleveland City Stars, the Real Maryland Monarchs became the seventh USL Second Division club to qualify for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The Stars jumped out to an early 2-0 first half lead through goals from Luke Williams and Floyd Franks. El Salvadoran international Denis Alas cut the lead in half for Maryland in the 29th minute, when his 25-yard shot just got by Cleveland goalkeeper Eric Reed. About ten minutes before halftime, Cleveland defender Jeremy Tolleson and Maryland forward Nilson Perez challenged for a 50/50 ball. Tolleson was struck by Nilson’s elbow, knocking out two of his teeth. The ensuing melee took seven minutes to settle, and in the end Cleveland assistant coach Aaron Treadway was sent off.

Just six minutes after the restart, it was Nilson who leveled the match at 2-2, off a pass from William Brindley. Just three minutes from full time, Alas struck again from another assist from Brindley to give Maryland the full three points, enough to set their minimum points percentage well above the maximum that Wilmington and Pittsburgh can achieve.

In Wilmington, the Hammerheads gained their first point of the season, playing to a 1-1 draw with the Harrisburg City Islanders. Steve Fisher gave the City Islanders an early lead, but Trey Alexander evened the score for Wilmington just after halftime.

Heading into the final week of qualifying, one Open Cup berth remains for either Pittsburgh or Wilmington. As it stands, Pittsburgh can only get in with a Wilmington draw or loss at Real Maryland next Saturday, as a Wilmington win will see the Hammerheads through. However, a Wilmington draw will allow the Riverhounds to get in with a win or draw of their own at Cleveland. Should Wilmington lose, Pittsburgh will gain the final berth regardless of their own outcome.