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Fourth Round US Open Cup Pairings Released

By on May 22, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Some potentially big matches are ahead for the 100th edition of the US Open Cup. Today the fourth round pairings were released and several big potential MLS matches could be involved.

Two that jumps right off the mat would be the Texas Derby between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo and the Cascadia Cup between Portland and Seattle.

Both Seattle and Dallas would get their rivals at home in these matches.

Elsewhere, Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy could meet in the forth round.

One match that does sound pretty interesting is Orlando City and Sporting KC, another one of those MLS-USL partnerships potentially meeting. That would be very interesting given how Sporting KC loanee Dom Dwyer is killing it with the USL side this year.  Continue Reading →

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Third Round Set For 2013 US Open Cup

By on May 22, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

MLS teams now know who they’ll face in the third round of the 2013 US Open Cup.

Here is the complete list of third-round matchups, based on U.S. Soccer’s draw, with the home team listed first:

  • May 28: Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) vs. D.C. United (MLS), 7 pm ET
  • May 28: Philadelphia Union (MLS) vs. Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL), 7:30 pm ET
  • May 28: Orlando City SC (USL PRO) vs. Colorado Rapids (MLS), 7: 30 pm ET
  • May 28: Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) vs. FC Dallas (MLS), 7:30 pm ET
  • May 28: Charleston Battery (USL PRO) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), 7:30 pm ET
  • May 28: Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) vs. New England Revolution (MLS), 7:35 pm ET
  • May 28: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) vs. Des Moines Menace (PDL), 8:30 pm ET
  • May 28: Real Salt Lake (MLS) vs. Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL), 9:30 pm ET
  • May 28: LA Blues (USL PRO) vs. Chivas USA (MLS), 10:30 pm ET
  • May 29: Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS), 7 pm ET
  • May 29: Carolina RailHawks (NASL) vs. LA Galaxy (MLS), 7:15 pm ET
  • May 29: Columbus Crew (MLS) vs. Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO), 7:30 pm ET
  • May 29: New York Red Bulls (MLS) vs. Reading United AC (PDL), 7:30 pm ET
  • May 29: Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) vs. Seattle Sounders (MLS), 7:30 pm ET
  • May 29: Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs. FC Tucson (PDL), 8:30 pm ET
  • May 29: Portland Timbers (MLS) vs. Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO), 10:30 pm ET

Nine MLS teams on the road including Seattle and LA. Very interesting seeing teams like D.C. United and New England go against their USL-Pro affiliates as well.

Lastly, four PDL sides go through to the third round but no amateur sides like last year’s Cal FC.

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US Open Cup Third Round Draw Is Out

By on May 15, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Boy things look real interesting for the 16 MLS clubs in the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Several clubs could open up on the road thanks to today’s draw for the third round pairings.

MLS could have 11 of its 16 clubs start out on the road should certain clubs win in the second round. Dallas, San Jose, Chivas and LA will be on the road no matter what.

Home teams are determined by a random selection process from among those clubs that have applied to host and whose venues meet the minimum tournament requirements.

Continue Reading →

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Details On The 2013 US Open Cup

By on March 5, 2013 | Follow @WVHooligan |

The 2013 US Open Cup, which will also be the tournament’s 100th edition, will have the events largest field ever with 68 clubs participating.

The US Soccer Federation announced the details for the 2013 event Tuesday, which included details on how the hosting cites would be announced and news about the tournament’s prize money.

The big detail for MLS fans is that all games, including the semifinals and finals will have the host determined by a coin flip. That means gone are the days of a bid process that favors teams like Seattle, Kansas City and Chicago. Instead, even the little guys will be able to potentially host some big games in this tournament.

The amount of prize money distributed will also see a substantial increase, with the overall champion earning a total of $250,000 (up from $100,000 in recent years). The tournament runner-up will receive $60,000 (up from $50,000) and the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will win $15,000 (up from $10,000).

The tournament will kick off in early May with the first rounds of games starting and finish with the final on October 1 or 2.  Continue Reading →

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2012 US Open Cup Semifinal Locations Announced

By on June 21, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

U.S. Soccer has announced the semifinal possible pairings and locations for the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The remaining eight-team field consists of five MLS teams – three-time defending champion Seattle Sounders FC, Chivas USA, the Philadelphia Union, the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City. The three remaining organizations represent USL PRO – the Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions and Harrisburg City Islanders.

SEMIFINALS – Tuesday, July 10, or Wednesday, July 11
Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS): PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET, July 11

OR

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS): PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET, July 10

OR

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS): LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 7:30 p.m. CT, July 10

OR

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO): Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET, July 10

—

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)/Chivas USA (MLS) Winner at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS): Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 7 p.m. PT, July 10

OR

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)/Chivas USA (MLS) Winner at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS): Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT, July 10

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Seven MLS Clubs Stumble In Wild USOC Third Round

By on May 30, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Seven MLS sides stumbled on Tuesday in the third round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Some were shocking, others were surprising and a couple were kind of expected.

New England, LA, Chicago, Columbus, FC Dallas, Houston and Real Salt Lake all fell on Tuesday making this year’s third round one of the more exciting rounds in USOC history.

The 2011 U.S. Open Cup runner-up and four-time U.S. Open Cup champion Chicago Fire was upended by the PDL’s Michigan Bucks 4-3 in overtime in Pontiac, Mich. The two clubs exchanged leads several times in this one with the Fire stumbling in the extra period. The proud history of the Fire in the USOC will certainly take a hit with this loss.

The game of the evening had to be between Harrisburg City and the New England Revolution. The game was scoreless going into overtime but the extra 30 minutes proved to be all both sides needed to get the goals flowing. Harrisburg City came back from being down 3-0 to win in penalty kicks.

Defending MLS champion LA Galaxy continued its recent struggles with a 2-1 loss to the Carolina RailHawks – a team that has not posted a win this year in the North American Soccer League (Division II). LA was playing their forth game in a matter of two weeks – a tough spell for any club.

Both Texan MLS sides struggled as the Houston Dynamo fell on the road to San Antonio and FC Dallas lost at home to the Charlotte Eagles. Dallas struggled as both Zach Loyd and George John went down with first half injuries and Jackson was red carded late. FCD also played without Brek Shea who was still out with a turf toe injury.

In Ohio, the Columbus Crew fell to the Dayton Dutch Lions. Gibson Bardsley scored an 81st-minute goal to lift Dayton past the Crew.

The most costly loss of all had to be with Real Salt Lake – who paid to get the game in their building from NASL’s Minnesota – lost 3-1 in front a massive USOC crowd of 17,000 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Ouch. RSL was missing several starters and had their depth tested in a big way for this game. It should be noted that Minnesota is one of the better NASL clubs out there – nice to see them stepping up on the road.

All was not so bad for MLS on the night though. Both the New York Red Bulls and the Philadelphia Union went on to comfortable wins in their games; Chivas USA won on the road; Sporting Kansas City downed Orlando City; D.C. United edged Richmond; San Jose Earthquakes moved on with a win over Fort Lauderdale; and the Colorado Rapids beat Tampa Bay.

The wins for MLS were good but the losses certainly took the headlines. Two more MLS teams play tonight – both at home – as the Sounders and Timbers hope to move on to face each other in the 4th round. Could one more upset be on the way?  Continue Reading →

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Portland, RSL, Seattle Pay Their Way To Host USOC Games

By on May 24, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

Say what you will about the method but you have to give it up to the Portland Timbers, the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake.

Each want the US Open Cup and they want to win it so bad. You can’t get too upset at these clubs wanting to take the US Open Cup seriously here.

All were originally slated to hit the road in the 3rd round of the 2012 US Open Cup. The new rules of the tournament stated that a both clubs in each early round have the chance to host as it is a draw that determine who hosts – not a bid like in previous years.

But the money talks.

I suppose there was no rule stating that MLS clubs couldn’t pony up the cash and considerations to the lower division clubs to host the games instead. It started with Portland, then RSL and Seattle joined in. All made a deal to get the games at their venue, something that definitely didn’t sit well with some fans of teams like the Atlanta Silverbacks or the Minnesota Stars.

Just how is it getting done? Simple it is a three way deal with the two clubs and the USSF. RSL’s GM Garth Lagerwey told MLSsoccer.com that they had to get a sign off from the USSF to do this.

“You certainly have to have US Soccer’s sign-off and approval to get that done,” Lagerwey explained. “It’s a business deal with all three parties: US Soccer, Minnesota and us.”

“Our ownership stepped up again, and through the hard work of Bill Manning we were able to get a deal negotiated to host an Open Cup game,” said Lagerwey. “I think that shows our commitment to winning. We literally did whatever it took to give our team the best chance to win just a first round game.”

Notice the commitment to winning. That is what this all boils down to. Each MLS side want to win this. I honestly don’t have an issue with how they are going about doing this. Sure, I’d love to see the little guys host the big kahunas of MLS but I’m also down with teams going out of their way to show they care about this tournament as well.

Some little fishes will move on after the third round, it almost always happens that way. The big thing to keep an eye out is how many more times MLS clubs have to pay their way to host games.

Again, at least it shows a commitment to winning and going all out to win this tournament. At the end of the day, that’s what we’ve all really wanted for this tournament all along – for MLS clubs to actually give a damn about it.

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4th Round USOC Pairings Set

By on May 23, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

The forth round potential pairings for the US Open Cup are now set. The bracket is really starting to finally take shape.

Some potential big matches include Seattle at Portland, Houston at Dallas, and Salt Lake at San Jose.

2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule
FOURTH ROUND – Tuesday, June 5
New England Revolution (MLS) at New York Red Bulls (MLS): Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.; 7 p.m. ET

OR

New England Revolution (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO): Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.; 7 p.m. ET

OR

New York Red Bulls (MLS)/Charleston Battery (USL PRO) Winner at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO): Hershey Park Stadium; Hershey, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET

—

Philadelphia Union (MLS)/Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) Winner at D.C. United (MLS): Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, Md.; 7:30 p.m. ET

OR

Philadelphia Union (MLS)/Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) Winner at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO): Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va.; 7 p.m. ET

—

Columbus Crew (MLS)/Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) Winner at Chicago Fire (MLS): Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Columbus Crew (MLS)/Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) Winner at Michigan Bucks (PDL): Ultimate Soccer Arena; Pontiac, Mich.; 7:30 p.m. ET

—

Colorado Rapids (MLS)/Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) Winner at Sporting Kansas City (MLS): LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Colorado Rapids (MLS)/Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) Winner at Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO): Citrus Bowl; Orlando, Fla.; 7:30 p.m. ET

—

Houston Dynamo (MLS) at FC Dallas (MLS): FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

FC Dallas (MLS)/Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) Winner at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL): Heroes Stadium; San Antonio, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at Houston Dynamo (MLS): BBVA Compass Stadium; Houston, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

—

Real Salt Lake (MLS)/Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) Winner at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS): Cagan Stadium, Stanford University; Stanford, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) at Real Salt Lake (MLS): Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah; 7 p.m. MT

OR

Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) at Minnesota Stars FC (NASL): National Sports Center; Blaine, Minn.; 7:30 p.m. CT

—

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)/Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) Winner at Portland Timbers (MLS): JELD-WEN Field; Portland, Ore.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

Cal FC (USASA) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS): Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) vs. Cal FC (USASA): Venue TBD; Time TBD

—

Chivas USA (MLS)/Ventura County Fusion (PDL) Winner at LA Galaxy (MLS): Home Depot Center; Carson, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

Chivas USA (MLS)/Ventura County Fusion (PDL) Winner at Carolina RailHawks (NASL): WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET

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Third Round Of USOC Set

By on May 23, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

The bracket is slowly filling out nicely here for the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Two more MLS sides now host third round games.

THIRD ROUND – Tuesday, May 29 and Wednesday, May 30
Houston Dynamo (MLS) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL): Heroes Stadium; San Antonio, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT, May 29

Chicago Fire (MLS) at Michigan Bucks (PDL): Ultimate Soccer; Pontiac, Mich.; 7:30 p.m. ET, May 29

Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS): LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 7:30 p.m. CT, May 29

D.C. United (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO): Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va.; 7 p.m. ET, May 29

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Columbus Crew (MLS): Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio; 7:30 p.m. ET, May 29

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at FC Dallas (MLS): FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT, May 29

Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS): Cagan Stadium, Stanford University; Stanford, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT, May 29

Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) at Philadelphia Union (MLS): PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET, May 29

New England Revolution (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO): Skyline Sports Complex^; Harrisburg, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET, May 29

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO): Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.; 7:30 p.m. ET, May 29

Chivas USA (MLS) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL); Ventura College^; Ventura, Calif.; 7 p.m. PT^, May 29

LA Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL): WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET, May 29

Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL): Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.; 7:30 p.m. ET, May 29

Cal FC (USASA) at Portland Timbers (MLS): JELD-WEN Field; Portland, Ore.; 7:30 p.m. PT, May 30^

Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Seattle Sounders (MLS): Starfire Sports Complex^; Tukwila, Wash.; 7 p.m. PT^; May 30^

Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) at Real Salt Lake (MLS)^: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah; 7 p.m. MT^, May 29

^ Note: Changed from original May 16 announcement

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Third Round Matches Revealed For US Open Cup

By on May 16, 2012 | Follow @WVHooligan |

U.S. Soccer has announced the third-round possible pairings and locations for the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Results from the second round of play next Tuesday, May 22, will determine the matchups for the third round taking place one week later on Tuesday, May 29.

2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule
THIRD ROUND – Tuesday, May 29
Houston Dynamo (MLS) at Laredo Heat (PDL): Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex; Laredo, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Houston Dynamo (MLS) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL): Heroes Stadium; San Antonio, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

Chicago Fire (MLS) at Michigan Bucks (PDL): Ultimate Soccer; Pontiac, Mich.; 7:30 p.m. ET

OR

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Chicago Fire (MLS): Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.; 7:30 p.m. CT

K.C. Athletics (USASA)/Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO) Winner at Sporting Kansas City (MLS): LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 7:30 p.m. CT

D.C. United (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO): Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va.; 7 p.m. ET

OR

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (USASA) at D.C. United (MLS): Maryland SoccerPlex Stadium; Boyds, Md.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO)/Chicago Fire PDL (PDL) Winner at Columbus Crew (MLS): Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio; 7:30 p.m. ET

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)/El Paso Patriots (PDL) Winner at FC Dallas (MLS): FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

Fresno Fuego (PDL)/Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) Winner at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS): Cagan Stadium, Stanford University; Stanford, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)/Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) Winner at Philadelphia Union (MLS): PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) at New England Revolution (MLS): TBD; Time TBD

OR

New England Revolution (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO): Hershey Park Stadium; Hershey, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET

Reading United AC (PDL) at New York Red Bulls (MLS): Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.; 7 p.m. ET

OR

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO): Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Chivas USA (MLS) vs. Ventura County Fusion (PDL); TBD; Time TBD

OR

Chivas USA (MLS) at Los Angeles Blues (USL PRO): Titan Stadium, Cal State Fullerton; Fullerton, Calif.; 7 p.m.

PSA Elite (USASA) at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS): The Home Depot Center; Carson, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

LA Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL): WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET

Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL): Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Tuesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET

OR

Jacksonville United (NPSL) at Colorado Rapids (MLS): Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo.; 7 p.m. MT

Cal FC (USASA) at Portland Timbers (MLS): JELD-WEN Field; Portland, Ore.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

Portland Timbers (MLS) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO): Legion Sports Park; Wilmington, N.C.; 7 p.m. ET

Seattle Sounders (MLS) at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL): Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Atlanta, Ga.; 7:30 p.m. ET

OR

Georgia Revolution (NPSL) at Seattle Sounders (MLS): Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 7 p.m. PT

Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Minnesota Stars FC (NASL): National Sports Center; Blaine, Minn.; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Des Moines Menace (PDL) at Real Salt Lake (MLS): Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah; 7 p.m. MT

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