Major Link Soccer: Two MLS teams go down in Open Cup

The U.S. Open Cup's third round - featuring the debut of MLS teams - kicked off Tuesday and as usual there were upsets and drama.

Two MLS teams went down in their first day of the 2013 cup.
The Charleston Battery, who play in USL-Pro, beat San Jose 1-0.
The impressive Orlando City USL-Pro side beat Colorado 3-1.

There was all kinds of drama too. DC United was down to nine men by the time they beat the Richmond Kickers 4-2 in penalty kicks. And the Atlanta Silverbacks of the NASL tookReal Salt Lake to extra-time before losing 3-2.

And just for fun, Chivas USA keeper Dan Kennedy scored a goal, on a penalty kick, as the Goats beat LA Blues 2-1.

Other MLS sides to go through Tuesday: Philadelphia, Dallas, New England, and Kansas City. Read mlssoccer.com's full round-up.

Much more tonight, as you know, including our Sounders taking out their frustration from L.A. on the poor Tampa Bay Rowdies ... hopefully.

Also tonight: Vancouver and Montreal face off in British Columbia in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship. Here's goal.com's preview of the match, which is currently tied 0-0. The Whitecaps are also apparently about to land a 22-year-old Honduran forward.

In other news, David Beckham is on his way to Miami to begin "exploratory discussions" about the possibility of exercising his expansion-team discount there. Supporters of the idea are planning a rally to welcome Becks, spurred on by the would-be owner of a Miami franchise from about five years ago, who is hoping to team with Beckham to bring MLS back to South Florida.

Sometimes people question the structure of the MLS, particularly it's rigidity on salaries and such. But I have to say I find that personally preferable to Liga MX, where three of the teams in the top division have petitioned to move to new cities this year. In one case a team that just got promoted plans to move. Can you imagine cheering your club to promotion to the top level and then having them split?

Finally, a bit of the opinion of the weird: It seems that a staffer at an ESPN radio affiliate in Schenectady, New York, has figured out that soccer is gaining in popularity in the United States. In this piece he ties the growth to declining baseball popularity since the end of the steroid era. Seriously. Enjoy.

- Scott Ayers