By DAN KARELL
With the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals less than one week away, U.S. Soccer held the draw for the semifinal round on August 7, and could see lower division sides Orlando City SC and the Carolina RailHawks potentially host.
Six Major League Soccer teams remain in the tournament celebrating it’s Centennial this year, but only Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire will play at home if they advance from the quarterfinal round. The winner of the match between RSL and the RailHawks will host either FC Dallas or the Portland Timbers, while the winner of the Chicago Fire and Orlando City match will host either D.C. United or the New England Revolution.
Here’s a closer look at the U.S. Open Cup semifinal draw:
Semifinal Round – Possible Pairings
New England Revolution (MLS)/D.C. United (MLS) winner at Chicago Fire (MLS)
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.
Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. CT
OR
New England Revolution (MLS)/D.C. United (MLS) winner at Orlando City SC (USL PRO)
Florida Citrus Bowl; Orlando, Fla.
Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Portland Timbers (MLS)/FC Dallas (MLS) winner at Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. MT
OR
Portland Timbers (MLS)/FC Dallas (MLS) winner at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
Wednesday, August 7 at 7:15 p.m. ET
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What do you make of this draw? Which of these match-ups are you looking forward to most?
Share your thoughts below.
Carolina and Orlando for MLS! (21 and 22!)
+1
I seriously hope the MLS can eventually form a second division. The league has been enjoying the benefits of expansion for a few years now. Everytime a new team comes into the league it brings a fresh energized fan base but infinite expansion is not the answer. Pro/rel is a way of keeping fan bases energized all up and down the league. Expand to 24-30 without pro/rel and MLS will be just like NBA MLB NHL with a handful of smaller not successful markets causing problems for the rest of the league
I’m hoping both of the semis are played in Carolina and Orlando
I’m hoping to see Orlando in the final
When Chicago plays Orlando they will be playing their 3rd game in 7 days whereas Orlando will only have played 1 friendly since their last open cup game. I know the Fire take USOc seriously but I think it’s simply impossible for them to put out a first choice lineup
Wow tough draw for the Timbers. Another road game if we get past Dallas.
I love that draw for the Fire…hopefully we take care of Orlando and then eventually take the title again. I want to be in the CL
So what you’re saying is the Sounders are going to get upset that they aren’t hosting any of those? 😉
Wuuuuut?
That looks promising.