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Union, Sounders among potential U.S. Open Cup semifinal hosts

USOCLogo

The road to the U.S. Open Cup title may very well go through Seattle again.

Should the Seattle Sounders defeat the San Jose Earthquakes in Tuesday's Open Cup quarterfinal, the three-time defending tournament champions would host the semifinal match against either Chivas USA or USL Pro's Charlotte Eagles at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. After a random hosting selection process was used through the quarterfinals, hosting rights for the semifinals reverted back to the blind bidding process of past years, one that the Sounders have used to their advantage during their Open Cup dominance.

If the Earthquakes, who host the quarterfinal at Kezar Stadium, end the Sounders' run, then they will host the semifinal against either Chivas or Charlotte at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Earthquakes won the only meeting in league play between the two sides so far this season, getting a 1-0 result at CenturyLink Field on March 31.

On the other side of the bracket, the Philadelphia Union are also in line to host a semifinal match at PPL Park, if they can get by USL Pro affiliate club Harrisburg City Islanders. The only way Sporting Kansas City, which faces winless USL Pro side Dayton Dutch Lions, can host the semifinal is if the Union fall to Harrisburg. 

Here are all of the potential pairings and host sites for the Open Cup semifinals:

U.S. OPEN CUP SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS (games either July 10 or 11)

Sporting Kansas City/Dayton Dutch Lions at Philadelphia Union

OR

Harrisburg City Islanders at Sporting Kansas City

OR

Dayton Dutch Lions at Harrisburg City Islanders 

AND

Chivas USA/Charlotte Eagles at Seattle Sounders or San Jose Earthquakes

U.S. OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS (all games June 26)

Philadelphia Union vs. Harrisburg City Islanders, 7:30 p.m.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Dayton Dutch Lions, 8:30 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.

Chivas USA vs. Charlotte Eagles, 10:30 p.m.

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What do you think of the potential semifinal host sites? Which four teams do you see progressing to the semifinals? Do you think Seattle will repeat, or do you see the Earthquakes knocking them off?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. OS.. You’re really not that brilliant.

    The real game of the tourney will be in SJ.

    I’m confident SJ will blow it

    Reply
  2. Perfect sentiment. And, not just for MLS. Teams that don’t have actual title hopes in Europe baffle me when they don’t put forth their best effort for the Cup.

    Reply
  3. It is easy to be self righteous about it when you don’t have any expenses.

    In the real world, these things cost money and in the end are there to make money ( or not lose money ).

    Seattle drew 47k last Wednesday, yes Wednesday. They should draw more than Chelsea this year.

    Guess where the tourney is going ?

    Keep the snide, do the right thing, comments coming.

    Reply
  4. As a Union season ticket holder, having only been to just a single home US Open Cup match in my supporting existence (the only one we’ve had), I realize these comments may seem a bit premature, nontheless…

    I believe the Philly organization is taking this year’s cup run seriously, even if it’s largely due to the washed-up nature of our league play this year. And for the fans, I speak for all of the supporters and die-hards who made it out to the rain-delayed/soaked Open Cup match against the Rhinos when I say it was one of the most entertaining and genuinely fun times I had as a supporter. Again, the sentiment I’m sure is enhanced by what we see in the league week in and week out, but I’m hopeful the numbers for Harrisburg match will be noticeably stronger.

    Paul, you’re right, “people” don’t care about the cup. But small runs like Philly’s, in a new fan base, during an awful season, can go a long way in changing that. As MLS fans, and more broadly as American sports fans, we should whole heartedly embrace the history and significance of the US Open Cup.

    I’m all in. C’mon the U.

    Reply
  5. Don’t worry, Sigi. You can still buy this one.
    “..hosting rights for the semifinals reverted back to the blind bidding process of past years, one that the Sounders have used to their advantage..”

    Reply
  6. “Being very frank, I think U.S. Soccer is trying to make it difficult for us to win an Open Cup.”

    -Sigi Schmid

    Reply

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