The FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic faces a tough task when it opens play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup next Wednesday. Sonic will travel to Portland (ME) to take on GPS Portland Phoenix of the PDL next week in a task that head coach Dave Weitzman understands will be a difficult prospect.

"We really are at a disadvantage because they're starting this tournament earlier than usual because they've allowed more teams in the tournament," Weitzman said. "We won't have most of our guys because they're still in college. Playing on the road makes it that much more difficult."

The prospect of playing on the road makes it an even greater challenge for the Sonic, since it eliminates the option to bring in some of their regulars because of the eight-hour drive to Maine.

The Sonic lost to Reading United 2-0 last year in the opening round of the Open Cup and has never gotten past the first round.

Weitzman hopes that trend can change this year despite the challenge of hitting the road without his full squad.

"Last year, I think we had four or five players in this game that actually started for us the rest of the season," he said. "It just goes to show you how things change over the course of the season for us as a team.

"It's just disappointing that these games are starting this early. A couple years ago it was around May 24 and those couple weeks can make a big difference for a team like ours."

If the Sonic can come up with a victory next week, it will host the Harrisburg City Islanders at Whitehall High School on May 14 in the second round of the tournament.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest soccer competition in the United States and third oldest tournament in the world.

The Cup is open for competition for all teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer, from amateur clubs to professional clubs in Major League Soccer.