DC United won their 12th club trophy last night in the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with their 2-1 defeat of the USL-1 Charleston Battery at RFK Stadium. DC was lead by their two Brazilians Luciano Emilio and Fred in this one as Emilio got the Black-and-Red up early and after Charleston leveled things at 1-1, Fred put home the go ahead goal shortly after the start of the second half.

This was probably one of the more entertaining US Open Cup finals that I’ve seen in the past couple years. Maybe it was because of the DC fans making RFK a fortress or maybe it was because you had a USL club in the final for the first time in a few years.

With the win, DC becomes the first MLS club to qualify for the 2009/10 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League. Continue Reading…

I love that line. And if you are a United supporter, you know what I am talking about here.

Here is a little mojo to get you Black-and-Red fans in the mood for tonight’s US Open Cup final in RFK Stadium. I will have more in a bit on this game but I wanted to start out with this video that a reader emailed in this morning!

It sure appears to be the case. I just got word about the possible championship scenarios for the 2008 US Open Cup today. Under three of four possible scenarios, either Seattle or Charleston from the USL-1 will host the title game next month.

The only MLS side that could host is DC, that is if D.C. United and Charleston advance. In that case, the game would be Sept. 3 at RFK Stadium (7:30 ET). Otherwise…..

DCU at Seattle, Sept. 3, 11 p.m. ET.

New England at Seattle, Sept. 15, 10 p.m.

New England at Charleston, Sept. 22, 7 p.m. ET. Continue Reading…

While fishing around on a site that I normally stay away from I across this thread on BigSoccer. The poster (Onionsack) brought up a very, very interesting point about the top domestic titles in the US.

Onionsack brings the point:

Since MLS started in 1996 there has NEVER been a season in which one of Chicago, DC, or LA has NOT won a major domestic trophy.

1996 – DC (MLS Cup, US Open Cup)
1997 – DC (MLS Cup)
1998 – Chicago (MLS Cup, US Open Cup) LA – (SS)
1999 – DC (MLS Cup, SS)
2000 – Chicago (US Open Cup)
2001 – LA (US Open Cup)
2002 – LA (MLS Cup, SS)
2003 – Chicago (US Open Cup)
2004 – DC (MLS Cup)
2005 – LA (MLS Cup, US Open Cup)
2006 – DC (SS), Chicago (US Open Cup)
2007 – DC (SS)

2008- ?

Of course it helps that all three have been in MLS Cups for the most part of the league’s history and that the Fire have been a pretty dominate side in the US Open Cup since their first season back in 1998.

Is this the year it ends though? DC moved on last night to keep the US Open Cup bid alive, all are somewhat still in the mix for both the Supporter’s Shield and MLS Cup at this point.

I always find points and stats like these to be very interesting. I am going to try to spend part of the day if I can coming up with some other stats to throw out your way, particularly how clubs have ended up each year at the midway point and put it into context for this year’s season.

Surprised by these stats? Its not saying these are the league’s ’super clubs’ or anything like that but they certainly have the biggest trophy cases of any clubs in the league!

As many of you have heard by now, Chicgo Fire midfielder and DP Blanco got a bit headed last night in the Fire’s 2-1 overtime loss to DC United in the US Open Cup. Blanco took his frustrations out on DC’s Clyde Simms and Marc Burch. The video highlights below (no audio) show the punch to Simms.

Blanco and Burch were both red-carded for violent conduct.

The league is looking into this matter and apparently the on the field issues aren’t the only thing from this. Apparently according to sources, Blanco also headbutted a DC United official on his way out of the game. No photos or video of that yet but still it sounds like a sticky situation for the Mexican star. To me it sounds like emotions are boiling over due to his club’s recent form.

You be the judge.

Here is a video where you can see Blanco punch at Simms at about 28 seconds and then slow-mo at around 40 seconds. Towards the end you can also see Blanco head back towards Simms.

A very entertaining night of soccer in the quarterfinal round of the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Entering the night was five MLS clubs, two USL1 clubs and a lone USL2 club. After it was all said and done two MLS sides prevailed and two USL1 sides upset their big brothers from MLS.

Three of the four games went into extra time, two of the games were decided on penalty kicks. Great night of soccer all around.

The results set up an all MLS semifinal and an all USL1 semifinal. No matter what, each division will get a club in the final game later this summer. Continue Reading…

Already a lot of action tonight in the US Open Cup. Two games are currently under way with the last two games near kickoff time.

Here are some handy-dandy links for you all. I highly recomment the US Open Cup live blog site, those guys are doing a great job at tracking tonight’s action.

US Open Cup Scoreboard Here

MLSNet US Open Cup Scoreboard Here

USOpenCup.com Live Blog here

Hopefully by the end of the night I will post a follow up to the night’s action! Feel free to pipe in your own comments on tonight’s games!