Its Finally Here! Open Cup Kickoff!!

(photo credit: TheCup.US facebook)

One hundred years of US Soccer have led to this...the Centennial edition of the the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.  Without a doubt, the nation's longest standing athletic tournament, the Open Cup is one of the purest, most exciting competitions you'll find anywhere in the wide world of sports.  Prone to historic upsets and Cinderella stories, I've always found myself cheering for the little guys, even if they're up against a team I would normally root for.

The Charleston Battery are no strangers to success in the Cup, and have made quite a name for themselves as giant-killers, in their own right.  In 1999, the Battery topped DC United 4-3 in an extra-time thriller.  Two years later, the Pride of the Lowcountry drubbed the New York MetroStars 4-1 at Blackbaud Stadium.  Charleston are one of the only lower division sides to ever make an appearance in the final stage of the tournament, falling 2-1 in heartbreaking fashion to DC United in 2008.  Perhaps my favorite Battery Open Cup match was the 3-1 rout of Chivas USA in Charleston...Not only did Charleston net three fantastic goals, the goats were so upset at their own manhandling that by the end of game they started a fight and several of their players were ejected with only seconds to play.

The powers that be have made it clear that another successful Open Cup run is a priority for the Charleston Battery this year, and with a huge bundle of cash and Champion's League spot up for grabs, why not??  Unfortunately, as its slated up, May is one of Charleston's busiest months in terms of fixture congestion, but it will interesting to see how the pieces come together when the Battery enter the fray in the second round.  For an in-depth analysis of how Charleston enters the draw, check out CHSSoccer.net.

But first things first.  Technically, the dance has already begun.  Two play-in matches took place Tuesday night to determine the final field in the first round.  In typical Open Cup style, even these preliminary matches were high scoring nail-biters.  FC Hasental (NPSL, and yes their crest bears a rabbit) downed the Fresno Fuego Future with four straight goals as the match finished 5-3.  Interestingly enough, the other match finished 5-3 on PK's, as the Georgia Revolution (also NPSL) squeaked by the Colorado Rovers after extra time.  If you haven't already seen it, here's a look at the first round of play:

FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE

May 14	Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)	8 p.m. ET	Memorial Field, Deering High School; Portland, Maine
May 14	Icon FC (USASA) at Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)	8 p.m. ET	Aviator Sports Complex; Brooklyn, N.Y.
May 14	New York Red Bulls U23s (NPSL) at Ocean City Nor'easters (PDL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Carey Stadium; Ocean City, N.J.
May 14	FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL) at Reading United AC (PDL)	7 p.m. ET	Don Thomas Stadium; Reading, Pa.
May 14	Ocala Stampede (PDL) at Red Force (USASA)	7:30 p.m. ET	Florida International Soccer Stadium; Miami, Fla.
May 14	VSI Tampa Bay FC (USL PRO) at Orlando City U-23s (PDL)	7 p.m. ET	Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, Fla.
May 14	Chattanooga FC (NPSL) at Carolina Dynamo (PDL)	7 p.m. ET	Macpherson Stadium; Greensboro, N.C.
May 14	Dearborn Stars (USASA) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)	7:30 p.m. ET	Ultimate Soccer Arenas; Pontiac, Mich.
May 14	RWB Adria (USASA) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)	7 p.m. ET	Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa.
May 14	River City Rovers (PDL) at Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO)	7 p.m. ET	Beavercreek High School; Beavercreek, Ohio
May 15	Madison 56ers (NPSL) at Des Moines Menace (PDL)	7:30 p.m. CT	Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, Iowa
May 14	NTX Rayados (USASA) at Austin Aztex (PDL)	7:30 p.m. CT	House Park; Austin, Texas
May 14	Phoenix FC (USL Pro) at FC Tucson (PDL)	7:30 p.m. Arizona Time	Kino Sports Complex Grandstand; Tucson, Ariz.
May 14	Sacramento Gold (NPSL) vs. Portland Timbers U23s (PDL)	7:30 p.m. PT	JELD-WEN Field; Portland, Ore.
May 14	Doxa Italia (USASA) at Sounders FC U23s (PDL)	7 p.m. PT	Sunset Chevrolet Stadium; Sumner, Wash.
May 14	PSA Elite (USASA) at Laredo Heat SC (PDL)	8:15 p.m. CT	Texas A&M International Soccer Complex; Laredo, Texas
May 14	Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL)	7 p.m. ET	RYSA Soccerplex; Conyers, Ga.
May 14	FC Hasental (NPSL) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)	7 p.m. PT	Ventura College; Ventura, Calif.

There are a handfull of oddballs from smaller conferences and associations and its always nice to have those wildcard darkhorse teams to spice things up.  You'll also notice there are several representatives from the ever-expanding grassroots league, the National Premier Soccer League.  Of course there are several PDL clubs in the mix and even a few USL Pro squads in the first round.  Here are the teams to keep your eye on:

Ocean City Nor'easters: Ever the underdog, these boys understand what the tourney is all about.  In a previous USOC tangle with DC United, their fans managed to intimidate the screaming eagles and only just fell short of a glorious upset.  

Reading United AC:  The Battery hosted this side last year and the PA squad can be tough competition.  Reading's alumni have really begun to go places...we're talking MLS and beyond.

Chattanooga FC:  These boys are known for quality football and their supporters, the Chattahooligans are largely responsible for inciting a football culture revolution in Middle Tennessee.  Nos vemos, El Conductor!!

Michigan Bucks:  Drawing on a wealth of college talent, the Bucks have won the PDL title and had an excellent run in the Cup last year.  Don't be surprised if they knock off a few big names this go around.  

I love this competition and what it means for the Beautiful Game in America.  I'm practically beside myself with anticipation!  Let it begin!  Let it begin!!

Who will be the next to lift the Cup??  I can't wait to find out!

Open Cup Update: Fourth Round Recap

Another exhilarating installment in this year's Open Cup drama saw half of the fourth round fixtures finish in extra time, and three of the eight games were decided by late penalties.  At this stage in the tournament, there were some predictable results but a record three lower division teams (all USLPRO) have made it into the quarterfinals.  Here are the latest results from the Cup:

Chivas USA 2-1 Carolina Railhawks
The Railhawks were brought to earth in heartbreaking fashion, losing the match to a penalty decision deep into stoppage time.  This game was strangely similar to Carolina's encounter with the Galaxy last week.  The Goats held nothing back, fielding a strong first team and the result was a goal in the 31st.  The Railhawks looked more confident after the break and after an impressive attacking burst found their equalizer with eleven minutes in regulation.  It seemed overtime was in the cards, but a handball decision was called in favor of the Chivas and Juan Pablo Angel buried the PK to end the fixture in stunning fashion.

The Chivas will host the advancing Charlotte Eagles June 26th at the Home Depot Center.

Charlotte Eagles 2-1 San Antonio Scorpions

                       (Final after Extra Time)

The Eagles are officially 'Kings of Texas' after routing three different opponents in their Open Cup tour of the Lone Star State, as Charlotte continue their impressive run in the tournament.  Their latest victims, the NASL's San Antonio Scorpions, were finally beaten with a penalty kick at the end of extra time.  Charlotte asserted their dominance early, making the most of their chances and netting in the 28th  minute.  However, a flagging Scorpions unit clawed their way back into the match, scoring a goal with a quarter hour left on the clock.  San Antonio had chances in extra time, but a handball in the box brought things to a bitter end for the hosts.  

The Eagles have conjured their best cup run to date, defeating the El Paso Patriots, FC Dallas, and now the Scorpions.  The win earns Charlotte a draw with Chivas USA at the HDC.  Interestingly enough, their second best OC performance, in 2005, was a win at El Paso and then an hotly contested 3-2 overtime loss to the Chivas.  

New York Red Bulls 1-3 Harrisburg City Islanders
                       (Final after Extra Time)
Harrisburg scored early in the 13th minute against the run of play.  However, it was New York who bossed the match, owning nearly every minute of regulation.  A heavy spell of pressure after the restart gave the Red Bulls a goal in the 59th.  The game proceeded to extra time and Harrisburg found the net almost immediately in the 94th.  The Islanders were then subjected to a New York onslaught but held on and even bagged one more goal just before extra time ended.

Harrisburg move on to face the Philadelphia Union in the Quarterfinals.  Oddly enough, the Islanders will have a chance to feel out their opponent in an exhibition match with their MLS affiliate on June 12 before their Open Cup date two weeks later.

Philadelphia Union 2-1 DC United
                       (Final after Extra Time)
In a lively tangle between the two Eastern Conference foes, Philly got the better of United but needed extra time to do so.  Both teams scored in first half stoppage time, the Union notching the first goal and DC responding hardly a minute later.  The match was a scrappy one and there were send-offs for each side in the extra period.  But more importantly, there was a Philadelphia goal that came just after that extra time started.

Dayton Dutch Lions 2-1 Michigan Bucks
                       (Final after Extra Time)
For a team with little to no league success, the Dayton Dutch Lions are making Open Cup history.  Coming off a massive win against the Columbus Crew, the Lions advanced with a dramatic victory, visiting the PDL's Michigan Bucks.  Unfortunately for the Bucks, it will be remembered as a match they "could have won", as they dominated play but failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.  Dayton struck first in the 13th and the teams continued to exchange shots in minor skirmishes.  Michigan leveled the game just after half time, but could not find the game winner.  Despite an audacious surge by the Bucks in extra time, they conceded a penalty and Dayton's Joel DeLass stamped the Lions ticket to the next round.

The Dutch Lions will challenge Sporting KC at LiveStrong Park in the Quarterfinals.

Colorado Rapids 0-2 Sporting Kansas City
Sporting were the beneficiaries of a Colorado own goal in the 29th minute.  A free quick took a turn off the keeper, then the post, then keeper again on its way into the net.  A CJ Sapong header put the game beyond doubt in the 79th minute.

Cal FC 0-5 Seattle Sounders
Crushing the dreams of the would-be Cinderella Cal FC, the Sounders thrashed their opponents with a torrent of five goals in a twenty minute span.  To their credit, the visitors kept Seattle at bay for the entirety of the first half, but the floodgates were opened shortly after the break.  As in the Silverback's fixture, Alonso led the way, scoring from the spot in the 50th.  Freddy Montero delivered a brace and Andy Rose found the net again in the 65th minute.  Combining once more with Caskey, Alsonso bookended the scoring with a brace of his own, thus completing Cal's epic Open Cup run.

Minnesota Stars FC 0-1 San Jose Earthquakes
It took them eighty-five minutes to do so, but the Quakes finally managed to unlock a stubborn Minnesota defense.  Still relishing the footballing lesson they delivered to RSL a week before, the Stars engaged San Jose with confidence.  They opted to play defensively, coming out of their shell on incisive counterattack runs.  And although the Stars did shine, Lenhart's late goal was just enough to sink the NASL squad.

The Open Cup is Here!

source: theCup.us

Its that time of year again!  America's oldest and most storied soccer tournament, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, is underway!!

The Seattle Sounders will look to defend their historic title, having won the tournament three years in a row.  But in an ever-changing game, and with the largest field of competitors to date, who will lift the cup this time around??

The first round of play, mostly comprised of amateur and development teams, finished late tuesday evening.  There have already been a few surprise results, most notably, the PDL powerhouse Kitsap Pumas were beaten 3-1 by Cal FC.

The complete results can be found here in the full bracket:  2012 USOC Bracket

USLPRO and NASL teams enter the competition in the second round and the stage is set for some lively fixtures!  The Charleston Battery have drawn Premier Development League side Reading United AC.  Reading earned their first Open Cup win Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over the Greek Americans.

Look familiar??

The MLS teams have now been entered into the bracket so things start to get very exciting!  Should the Battery progress in their home match against Reading, they will go on to host the New York Red Bulls!!

Now first things first, we need to win Tuesday, but it sure is a thrilling prospect to think Blackbaud could play host to the legendary Thierry Henry and his New York outfit.  With a week to rest up for the match, the Battery should be ready for their first Open Cup tie and we've got the quality this season to make a deep run in the Cup.

The folks at the Battery have said they plan to broadcast Tuesday's match live via UNation, pending USL approval.

Stay tuned for news and results, and as always,  UP THE BATTERY!!