The Tampa and Baltimore will  join the owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, St. Louis Soccer United and Vancouver Whitecaps in this new venture.

The name of the new league is expected to come down next week. One hot rumor is it could be called the NASL. Yes the same name as the old league that failed back in the 1980s. Yes Miami FC is the group that has gone out and reportedly gotten the trademarks on NASL. Big Kudos to USLNews.com for digging up that dirt.

Well what do we make of this news? Getting Tampa back was huge for the TOA but adding a solid group in Crystal Palace Baltimore really helps their cause out in a big way. Not only does it bring a good owner to the mix but it puts them to the nine team mark. Nine is a good number in case say the Minnesota Thunder don’t get their act together financially.

As for the news of this league possibly being called the NASL, I just don’t buy it. While I have a feeling it could end up this way with this recent news I just don’t see a way that people will take this new version serious after the old one died off back in the 80s. Should they want a league name that isn’t associated with failure and collapse? I dunno that is just me maybe more people like the idea of that name returning.

Below are the times and broadcast information for each game.

All Times Eastern

U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals

Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Veterans Stadium, Willow Brook Park; New Britain, Conn. – 7:00 PM
Broadcast: Online Radio (New England)

Chicago Fire (MLS) at DC United (MLS)
Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, Md. – 7:30 PM
Broadcast: Spanish & English radio (DC United)

Charleston Battery (USL-1) at FC Dallas (MLS)
Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas – 8:30 PM
Broadcast: Video (FC Dallas) Radio (no webcast): REAL 1340AM WQSC (Charleston)

Kansas City Wizards (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
Qwest Field; Seattle, Wash. – 10:00 PM
Broadcast: Video

Like I said, all the matches have some interesting aspects behind them. New England is going up against the biggest underdog in recent Open Cup history. Could a USL2 club really make it through against the defending Cup champions? I think we will get at least one upset tonight in terms of a MLS club going down; look for Seattle to be that club. I am eager to see the outcome of the Charleston/Dallas match, this is the third straight year these two clubs have met in this competition. And as always, a DC-Chicago game is going to be interesting.

Stay tuned for results later on tonight!