U.S. Open Cup Changes Official: Sounders Open Play On May 29
The long-rumored changes to the U.S. Open Cup format are now official. The biggest changes have to do with all 32 pro teams gaining entry into the main draw, bringing the total field to 64 teams. MLS teams will start play in the third round on May 29. Blind bidding was also eliminated through the quarterfinals. The final would be played on Aug. 7-8.
5 months ago
Jeremiah Oshan
26 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
In Round 3, MLS teams square off against Round 2 winners, so no MLS matchups possible until the fourth round.
Interesting.
Sidenote: haha Portland Timbers U23. Last place in their division last year. Suckers.
That's
nothing new. its usually tends to be the 4th round where its MLS vs MLS.
Now to laugh at Portland losing to a division 2 team or lower.
I was hearing rumblings of potential open draw for 3rd Round.
What I didn’t see was mention about the later rounds being geographically based, only the first couple.
4th out of 8 actually
Not to rain on the PDX bashing, but they weren’t last. The second and third place teams are both Canadian so they made it in by being the second best US side in the division.
So a team named the Portland Timbers will lose twice in the same tournament
Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!
by chrisso on Jan 11, 2012 1:51 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
well
they have to continue the tradition of “we don’t win trophies”
this is good for the USA
64 teams from all levels fighting to win a cup and a chance in the concacaf champions league this is just like the copa del Rey and FA cup
by alexyepz on Jan 11, 2012 2:17 PM PST via mobile reply actions
It's nothing like the FA Cup
or at least no more like it today than yesterday. 900 or so teams in England.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
I'd say it's much more like the League Cup
But the League Cup doesn’t let in amateur teams and this does. In that aspect only is it like the FA Cup.
This seems like a good move
It hurts MLS teams in that they won’t be able to bid and host every game, but will help the minnow teams compete a little better. I’m surprised half of them are even able to afford to travel to away games given that teams in the PDL are essentially amateurs. It’ll be interesting and exciting to see how this all shakes out.
Infact, I think MLS teams should not host every game
If I get to make one change to the above format that would be this – If there is a game between a MLS team and a non-MLS team, then the NON-MLS team gets the right to host the event provided their venue meets standard requirements and they are interested in serving as hosts.
This not only give the lower division team the home advantage (and seeing lower division clubs progress is the romance of such tournaments) but will also help MLS reach out to its extended market (which inturn might get more TV views for MLS games). The chances of you selling 3000 or more tickets for such games at a non-MLS team venue is much more than at MLS venue.
Oh boy...
I am hoping for at least one Starfire night in 2012. The format change makes the tournament less easy for big clubs, so, as a homer, I am not a huge fan of the changes. However, the idea of invading Bremerton as an away game is pretty intriguing. An away game to LA Galaxy, less so.
Looks like the 4th round is on a FIFA date
Probably not a big deal, but seems worth mentioning. It’s nice that the tournament is a little more compact on the calendar, though. It should be easier to retain interest in the tournament without some of the big breaks they used to have.
May is going to be crazy...
May 02 vs Galaxy
May 05 vs Union
May 09 @ Dallas
May 12 vs RSL
May 19 @ Whitecaps
May 23 vs Crew
May 26 @ Chivas
and now May 29 TBD???
this will be a crazy month depth will be tested early
by alexyepz on Jan 11, 2012 3:30 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
If we do well in USOC games...
…then mid-June to mid-July will be just as bad, maybe worse. The Sounders could have two games a week straight from 6/16 to 7/18. Even if they don’t do well in USOC, they’ll have 8 games in that 5-week period. (Plus, I suspect that the major friendly will be the weekend of 7/21—it’s the only summer weekend they don’t have a scheduled game which isn’t a FIFA date.
Now that's squared away.
It’s time to for USSF to help teams market the hell out of these games then lock up a TV deal. I’m done with Quarter/Semi-final matches being streamed online.
At the very least
a “Game of the Round”
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
Perhaps the worst part of Arlo leaving is that her won't have a chance to call another Sounder-Pumas game.
I couldn’t help but laugh every time he said “Puma.”
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
