US Open Cup Round Three Preview

I believe that the most interesting thing that happened in the last round of sub-MLS Open Cup play was that the Seattle Sounders knocked out actor Anthony LaPaglia’s USASA team, Hollywood United, 6-0.

When last we checked in on the US’s most-ignored tournament, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, MLS teams were playing for the two remaining MLS spots, and all of the lower-level teams were getting ready to play each other for the right to move on. There were 32 lower-division teams fighting for the right to play against the big boys from MLS — eight each from USL-1, USL-2, PDL and USASA.

Of those 32 lower-division teams, eight remain. And tonight they’re heading into round 3.

Meanwhile, on the MLS side, the playoffs for the final two MLS spots ended with the Chicago Fire beating the Columbus Crew 3-2 in extra time and the Kansas City Wizards beating the Colorado Rapids on penalties, 5-3, after finishing the game 2-2.

So here’s where things get fun. All of the USASA and PDL sides have been knocked out, but we still have USL-1, and even a couple of USL-2 teams in the competition. And they have something to play for, too. A successful US Open Cup run can bring tens of thousands of dollars to the perennially cash-strapped lower-division teams, and a win would get them an automatic berth in next year’s CONCACAF Champions League. And while it’s unusual for a non-MLS to win the Cup, it’s not unheard of. Last year two USL-1 sides made it to the semis, and the Rochester Raging Rhinos took home the Cup in 1999.

All of the Round 3 games will be played tonight, and here’s what they’ll look like:

Richmond Kickers (USL-2) will be playing at the New England Revolution (MLS)
Kansas City Wizards (MLS) will be playing the Carolina Railhawks (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars (USL-2) will be playing the Chicago Fire (MLS)
Rochester Rhinos (USL-1) will be playing DC United (MLS)
Miami FC (USL-1) will be playing FC Dallas (MLS)
Houston Dynamo (MLS) will be playing Charleston Battery (USL-1)
New York Red Bulls (MLS) will be playing Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2)
Chivas USA (MLS) will be playing Seattle Sounders (USL-1)

Homefield advantage here is bought and sold, in case you were wondering. AOL Fanhouse has an interesting take on what this says about which MLS teams are taking this competition seriously.

For more on the Open Cup, check out the official site.

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Category: World Football