DC United are still shocked they have to pre-qualify for a trophy they won last year.

DC United's Ben Olsen has told the Washington Post how shocked he is that the defending Cup champions have to play a pre-qualifier to defend his team's U.S. Open Cup title.

DC United face FC Dallas Wednesday 22nd April at RFK Stadium in the pre-qualifier.

Olsen said, "I am still shocked at how you win it and don't get a berth into the final round. But it's always about building a bigger case for trophies.

"As disappointing as last year was, we still managed to hold something up. I love the Open Cup. I love the history of it and the format of it is great. I hope we continue to do well in it."