U.S. Open Cup: Harkes, Agoos released for final

U.S. national team captain John Harkes and defender Jeff Agoos have been released for D.C. United’s quest at the double against the Rochester Rhinos in the final of the U.S. Open Cup Oct. 30 (Prime: 8:00 pm ET).

Harkes, who missed the Open Cup semifinal win over Dallas Oct. 27 while nursing his injured ankle, and Agoos are training in the Washington area with the U.S. national team for its World Cup ’98 qualifying match with Guatemala Nov. 3 at RFK Stadium.

D.C. United defender Eddie Pope will miss the Guatemala game due to school commitments. He is in the process of completing his degree at the University of North Carolina.

The United States practices Wednesday-Friday morning at George Mason University and Saturday morning at RFK Stadium.

Ernie Stewart practiced with the United States for the first time in 15 months, since the ’95 Copa America. Stewart, who now plays for NAC in the Netherlands, missed this year’s Gold Cup and U.S. Cup due to injuries.