The new erratic schedule is messing with my MLS viewing

posted by kidpurple April 30, 2009

I didn’t like it when it was first announced, and I’m not enjoying the crazy new schedule that Major League Soccer is going with this year.  I’m used to Thursday night games – now I don’t always get a Thursday night game.  I was really looking forward to a game tonight…

So Toronto FC is on top of the east and the defending champions Columbus Crew are on the bottom only one point below MLS Cup runners up New York Red Bulls.  Something doesn’t seem right in this world right now.

I guess we have to wait for FC Dallas vs DC United on Saturday if you have FSC.  This game is going to be a re-match of a US Open Cup play-in game these 2 teams played in just over a week ago.  DC United won that game 2-0 to move in to the US Open Cup.  FC Dallas won’t have those pesky extra games messing up thier nice MLS schedule.  I imagine DC will win this one again.  FC Dallas could be in competition with the LA Galaxy for bottom of the league this year.

Can’t wait for that game!

Posted in Columbus Crew, DC United, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, US Open Cup | Comments (0)

MLS vs USL in US Open Cup Final

posted by kidpurple July 9, 2008

We will have one MLS team and one USL team in the US Open Cup Final this year. Two MLS powerhouses will play each other in one semi-final while two USL teams will do battle in the other semi-final.

The New England Revolution beat Crystal Palace Baltimore on PKs after a 1-1 draw to move into the semis with DC United who beat fellow MLSers Chicago Fire.

On the other side of the tournament we had the Charleston Battery beat FC Dallas 3-1 and the Seattle Sounders beat the Kansas City Wizards 6-5 on PKs after a scoreless draw.

This will be only the 3rd time since the beginning of Major League Soccer that a non MLS team has advanced to the final. In 1996 DC United beat the Rochester Raging Rhinos 3-0 in the final. Three years later the Rochester Raging Rhinos made it to the final again and this time came out victorious with a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Since that game the final has seen nothing but MLS teams – until now.

Posted in Charleston Battery, DC United, New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders, US Open Cup | Comments (0)

US Open Cup round of 16 results

posted by kidpurple July 2, 2008

A couple MLS teams dropped out of the US Open Cup last night to lower league opponents. Here are all the results:

Crystal Palace Baltimore 2 -0 New York Red Bulls

Richmond Kickers 0 – 3 New England Revolution

Cleveland City Stars 1 – 4 Chicago Fire

Rochester Rhinos 0 – 2 DC United

Miami FC Blues 1 – 2 FC Dallas

Charsleston Battery (4-3 on PKs) 1 – 1 Houston Dynamo

Carolina Railhawks 2 – 4 Kansas City Wizards

Seattle Sounders 2 – 0 Chivas USA

So we are left with 5 MLS teams, a single USL-2 team and a pair of USL-1 teams. This is what the quarterfinals look like for next week. Both the Revolution and DC United will not host these games at their normal home field. Dallas will be at Pizza Hut Park for their game.

Crystal Palace Baltimore at New England Revolution

Chicago Fire at DC United

Charleston Battery at FC Dallas

Kansas City Wizards at Seattle Sounders

Posted in Charleston Battery, Chicago Fire, Crystal Palace Baltimore, DC United, FC Dallas, Kansas City Wizards, New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders, US Open Cup | Comments (0)

US Open Cup Update

posted by kidpurple June 30, 2008

The third round of the US Open Cup is upon us.  There are 8 MLS teams remaining in the tournament – each of which will face a non-MLS team.

Three teams from the USL Second Division have made it to the round of 16.  These teams all face MLS teams in this round.  Here are those matchups:

Crystal Palace Baltimore vs. New York Red Bulls

Richmond Kickers vs. New England Revolution

Cleveland City Stars vs. Chicago Fire

The remaining lower level teams all came from the USL First Division:

Rochester Rhinos vs. DC United

Miami FC Blues vs. FC Dallas

Charsleston Battery vs. Houston Dynamo

Carolina Railhawks vs. Kansas City Wizards

Seattle Sounders vs. Chivas USA

The previous round saw the exit of 8 more USL First and Second Division teams along with the only team from outside USL to make it that far – Hollywood United.  Hollywood United are a part of the United States Adult Soccer Association.

What MLS teams may fall to their lower league opponents?

Posted in Carolina Railhawks, Charleston Battery, Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Cleveland City Stars, Crystal Palace Baltimore, DC United, FC Dallas, Hollywood United, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Miami FC Blues, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Seattle Sounders, US Open Cup | Comments (0)

Real Salt Lake one step closer to US Open Cup

posted by kidpurple May 1, 2008

Real Salt Lake had another impressive victory at home last night in their US Open Cup play-in game vs expansion San Jose EarthQuakes. Kyle Beckerman notched the first two goals of the game. After that Yura Movsisyan and Andy Williams each got a goal of their own to complete a 4-0 demolition of the EarthQuakes.

This sends Real Salt Lake to Columbus for their next Open Cup qualifying game. The winner of that game then plays at Chicago Fire in a winner qualifies, loser out game.

Posted in Andy Williams, Kyle Beckerman, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, US Open Cup, Yura Movsisyan | Comments (0)

2008 US Open Cup Qualifying

posted by kidpurple April 30, 2008

Some MLS teams are about to start playing some qualifying games for the 2008 US Open Cup.  The teams are organized based on their final standings in the league at the end of last year.  This is how it breaks down:

Already In:

  • DC United
  • Chivas USA
  • Houston Dynamo
  • New England Revolution
  • FC Dallas
  • New York Red Bulls

The other teams have to win their way in – some teams have to win more than others (the winner of the bolded games qualify for the US Open Cup):

1. San Jose EarthQuakes vs. Real Salt Lake

2. (Winner #1) vs Columbus Crew

3. (Winner #2) vs Chicago Fire

4. Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy

5. (Winner #4) vs Kansas City Wizards

So the Wizards and Fire only have one game to win to get in.  Colorado, LA, and the Crew have to win 2.  San Jose and Real Salt Lake need 3 consecutive victories to qualify.

That first game between San Jose and Salt Lake is taking place tonight – but unfortunately it doesn’t look like it is going to be televised anywhere.

Posted in US Open Cup | Comments (1)

New England Revolution Are US Open Cup Champions!

posted by kidpurple October 3, 2007

The New England Revolution got goals from Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman and Wells Thompson to top FC Dallas in tonite’s US Open Cup.  FC Dallas scored goals by Arturo Alvarez and Abe Thompson.

This is the first major trophy for the New England Revolution.  They have been runners up in both the US Open Cup and the MLS Cup several times.  The Revolution could be one of the favorites to get the double this year as they are having a strong regular season, but trail DC United in the east standings.

Posted in Abe Thompson, Arturo Alvarez, FC Dallas, New England Revolution, Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman, US Open Cup, Wells Thompson | Comments (0)

US Open Cup Is Set

posted by kidpurple September 5, 2007

Both semi-finals featured MLS teams against USL teams and both of the games went into extra time.

First the New England Revolution needed an extra time goal before they ended the run of the Carolina RailHawks with a 2-1 score.  Later FC Dallas took the Seattle Sounders to overtime before also winning 2-1.

The New England Revolution will travel to FC Dallas home Pizza Hut Park on October 3rd for the final.

Posted in FC Dallas, New England Revolution, US Open Cup | Comments (0)

US Open Cup Update

posted by kidpurple August 8, 2007

I missed out on quite a bit of action recently by going camping, then a long work trip and finally getting really sick.  A lot has happened in the US Open Cup.

The New England Revolution will play the Harrisburg City Islanders tonite in the last quarterfinal to be settled.  One of the top MLS teams against the last USL-2 team alive.

The winner of that game will play the Carolina RailHawks who defeated the Richmond Kickers in their quarterfinal 1-0.

FC Dallas took the Charleston Battery to extra time before coming away with a 2-1 victory to advance to the semi-finals.

FC Dallas will play the Seattle Sounders who gave the Colorado Rapids a real beating in their quarter-final.  The Rapids were beat down by a final score of 5-0.  Whoaaa Colorado, whats up with that?  I’ve only notice one beating that was worse than that one, but that was a USL-1 team beating an USASA (3 tiers below USL-1) by the score of 10-0.  The Atlanta Silverbacks beat Azzuri by that score if anyone was wondering.

So at most 2 MLS teams will make it to the semi-finals, and at least 1.  Does this look bad for MLS or good for USL?

Posted in Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, New England Revolution, US Open Cup, USL | Comments (4)

Two More USL-1 Teams Advance In US Open Cup

posted by kidpurple July 19, 2007

Two more lower league teams dropped two more MLS teams out of the US Open Cup.  The Seattle Sounders beat Chivas USA 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals and will eventually face the Colorado Rapids.  The Carolina RailHawks beat Chicago Fire 1-0 and will go on to face the Richmond Kickers in the quarterfinals.

Major League Soccer teams have not fared too well in this years US Open Cup.  Only 3 MLS teams have advanced to the quarterfinals while 3 USL-1 and 2 USL-2 teams are in the quarterfinals.  The Next round of games takes place on August 10th.

Here are the quarterfinal matchups:

Harrisburg City Islanders
New England Revolution

Richmond Kickers
Carolina RailHawks

FC Dallas
Charleston Battery

Colorado Rapids
Seattle Sounders

Posted in Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, MLS General, New England Revolution, US Open Cup | Comments (2)