US Open Cup Preview: Quakes at RSL

My mind totally blanked on this but there is soccer tonight. Yes, midweek soccer in Major League Soccer, but this game isn’t going to count in the MLS standings because it is a “qualifier” for the 2008 edition of the US Open Cup.

Based on last year’s standings and the fact that San Jose is an expansion club is the reason for the pairing tonight between San Jose and Real Salt Lake. The best six from last year auto-qualified for the third round of this Cup, while the other six (Toronto not included) are left to duke it out to produce two survivors. Winner of this game will get Columbus and the winner of that game will go to Chicago. On the other side of this “play-in” round is a LA v. Colorado winner that will end up facing KC.

Anyways, back to tonight’s game. I will keep this brief since kickoff is fairly close away here. You have two clubs that are out to prove a lot right now. One (San Jose) is trying to get over the expansion aspect of the season and is learning to play consistent on a weekly basis. The other (RSL) is wanting to prove that they belong with the big boys of MLS. Neither is really doing that right now but a win to get closer to the US Open Cup could very well be a good starting point.

As much as I think the Quakes can win this game I can’t shy away from the home side in this one due to recent play from RSL. I think Jason Kreis’ side will come out in this one and be able to keep their home field advantage against the expansion Quakes. RSL will want to prove that they haven’t fallen back into their old losing ways and advancing in this Cup will certainly help that out. RSL is very tough at home, especially on that nasty turf.

I expect both to play some reserve players…probably will see some back-up keepers in this one for both sides. RSL has to get Chris Seitz some playing time and this is a great time to do it.

No TV for this game nationally (surprise, surprise…this game wouldn’t exactly be TV ratings central). Your best bet may be trying one of these three radio stations, but I’m not sure about that either: English – KALL 700am (Salt Lake), Spanish – KTUB 1600am (Salt Lake), KLOK 1170am (San Jose).

WVH Prediction: RSL 3, San Jose 1