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U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round Preview (Day Two)

Jun 17, 2015; Hempstead, NY, USA; New York City FC midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy (20) heads the ball away from New York Cosmos midfielder Adam Moffat (16) during the second half at Shuart Stadium. New York Cosmos won 4-3 in penalty kicks. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Anthony Gruppuso/USA Today Sports

After a few close calls for MLS teams entering the fray on Tuesday night, the rest of the top division teams are in action for the first time on Wednesday in the 2016 U.S. Open Cup.

The round’s headlining match is the derby fixture between New York City FC and the New York Cosmos. The Cosmos defeated their MLS counterparts on penalty kicks in the same round last year, and will be looking to take advantage of NYCFC’s early struggles to repeat that feat this year.

In the Northwest, the lowest ranked team remaining in the competition, the Kitsap Pumas of USLPDL, face off against the Seattle Sounders. The Cascadia team, who have also struggled in MLS so far this year, will look to put last year’s Open Cup catastrophe behind them with a victory.

Here’s a quick look at Wednesday’s Open Cup matches (all times Eastern):

COLUMBUS CREW (MLS) vs. TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (NASL), 7 p.m.

Its no secret that last year’s MLS Cup runner-up Columbus Crew are disappointed with the way their season has started. Greg Berhalter’s men have only amassed three victories in 14 games, lost their leading goalscorer Kei Kamara after a bust-up with Federico Higuain and look a shambles of their former self. But their new man up front, Ola Kamara, has been on fire and could help bring a much needed victory for the Crew.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies made a number of talented acquisitions in preparation to win the Soccer Bowl this year. From towering American striker Tommy Heinemann, to World Cup veteran Joe Cole, the Rowdies are putting their money where their mouth is. After a slow start to the NASL Spring Season, the team is finally hitting their stride having won five of their last six matches. Expect to be impressed by Hungarian forward Georgi Hristov, Joe Cole and Eric Avila in this game.

JACKSONVILLE ARMADA (NASL) vs. ORLANDO CITY (MLS), 7 p.m.

Tony Meola’s start with the Jacksonville Armada did not go as he would’ve wanted it, but there’s room for improvement and this game could be a turning point. Strikers Alhassane Keita and Matthew Fondy have started rounding into form and building chemistry, which could prove vital.

Orlando City have drawn seven times so far this year, proving a resilience to come back late in several games where they were losing for the majority. A few injuries may see the club field some youngsters in this game, as well as some older players that have been hurting for minutes like Antonio Nocerino.

PHILADELPHIA UNION (MLS) vs. HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS (USL), 7 p.m.

The Philadelphia Union have taken the league by surprise this year, and are leading the Eastern Conference as the season approaches its halfway point. That being said, its entirely possible Jim Curtain will rest his core of key performers in this midweek match, especially after the coach highlighted his team’s depth in the run up. It would be wise, though, to start team leader and leading goalscorer in the modern U.S. Open Cup era Sebastian Le Toux.

On the other side, the Harrisburg City Islanders sit near the bottom of the USL Eastern Conference. An inspired, but unlikely, display from their defense would help put them through alongside some attacking brilliance from Paul Wilson and Jose Barril.

ROCHESTER RHINOS (USL) vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS (MLS), 7:05 p.m.

New York Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch has been vocal prior to this match, expressing his respect for the opponent and a desire to get some young players on the field. It is likely that USL regulars Junior Flemmings, Brandon Allen and Derrick Etienne will make an appearance against their usual league opponents in Rochester.

The Rochester Rhinos have won their last two Open Cup games by a combined score of 9-0 against USASA teams. In those games, Asani Samuels scored three times and Carlos Ugarte recorded a goal and three assists. 22-year-old attacker Christian Volesky has also been a standout for the Rhinos in the league this year, recording five goals and an assist in 11 matches.

CAROLINA RAILHAWKS (NASL) vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (MLS), 7:30 p.m.

After an unexpected, flying start to the NASL Spring Season, the Carolina RailHawks have fallen hard back to Earth in recent weeks. The RailHawks have talent in Nazmi Albadawi, Tiyi Shipalane and Brian Shriver, but they went ice cold in the last month. However unlikely, the RailHawks have little hope of advancing unless that trio starts clicking again.

The Revolution are another MLS suffering from an inability to keep a lead this year. Revs fans will hope a game full of chances against sub-par defenders is just what the doctor ordered as Teal Bunbury, Juan Agudelo and Kei Kamara look to find scoring form.

D.C. UNITED (MLS) vs. FORT LAUDERDALE STRIKERS (NASL), 7:30 p.m.

Ben Olsen and D.C. United have typically taken the U.S. Open Cup seriously, winning the competition in 2013. But with an international absence and a few injuries, the coach may get some inexperienced players on the pitch, such as midfielder Collin Martin.

Additionally, new Homegrown signing Chris Durkin is expected to be on the bench for D.C. United.

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers struggled to find consistency this spring, but there’s no denying the talent the squad contains. Expect veteran attacker Ramon Nunez to star in this match, as well as emotionally charged appearances from former United players Maicon Santos and Julius James.

NEW YORK CITY FC (MLS) vs. NEW YORK COSMOS (NASL), 7:30 p.m.

In the most highly anticipated match of the round, New York City FC faces off against the New York Cosmos in the Bronx. It’s been a rough start for Patrick Vieira, as he faces head on the problem of finding his best 11 players. The team should be ready and raring to get revenge on last year’s narrow loss, though.

The Cosmos’ roster features the experience of former MLS players Adam Moffat, Jairo Arrieta and Gabriel Farfan, but the real stars are the team’s internationals. Venezuelan striker Juan Arango has recorded four goals and three assists so far in the league, while both Niko Kranjcar and Yohandry Orozco will be likely be up for the task against the stars of NYCFC.

MINNESOTA UNITED (NASL) vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY (MLS), 8 p.m.

Minnesota United had their ups and downs this Spring Season, but the squad is ultimately just as talented and cohesive as ever. Star attacking talents Christian Ramirez, Stefano Pinho and Ben Speas all have the quality to beat Sporting Kansas City’s backline.

On the other side, Sporting KC have only won a single match in their last 11. Peter Vermes’ team is in desperate need of a confidence boost, and a hard fought win over future MLS rivals could provide just that.

CHICAGO FIRE (MLS) vs. INDY ELEVEN (NASL), 8:30 p.m.

The Chicago Fire claimed to be starting a new era with the arrival of General Manager Nelson Rodriguez and Head Coach Veljko Paunovic, but so far its just been more of the same. The Fire sit last overall in the league, scoring an astonishingly low 10 goals. With injuries limiting attacking options, it will be up to speedster David Accam and veteran Arturo Alvarez to get this team a win.

Indy Eleven are just four days removed from a very emotional, unlikely title victory. The Boys in Blue have red-hot attackers in Eamon Zayed and Nemanja Vukovic, and their defense has held strong to maintain an unbeaten record heading into the NASL Fall Season.

FC DALLAS (MLS) vs. OKLAHOMA CITY ENERGY (USL), 8:30 p.m.

FC Dallas will once again face off against Oklahoma City Energy in Open Cup play on Wednesday, after a handed 4-1 victory in the same fixture last year. In that match, braces from both Michael Barrios and David Texeira proved the difference. Oscar Pareja has an arsenal of attacking options with Tesho Akindele, Maruo Diaz and Maximiliano Urruti also showing well in recent months.

OKC Energy sit mid-table in USL’s Western Conference. Jimmy Nielsen’s team is highlighted by his Danish compatriots, with both attackers Sebastian Dalgaard and Danni Konig being the hot hands to watch out for.

HOUSTON DYNAMO (MLS) vs. SAN ANTONIO FC (USL), 8:30 p.m.

Houston Dynamo’s interim coach Wade Barrett now has two matches under his belt, and the ability to field a rested starting 11 on Wednesday. But with a match against D.C. United looming on Saturday, it is unclear if Barrett will go all out or give his youngsters a go. Either way, it would be wise to give Will Bruin the chance to get on and regain scoring form.

San Antonio FC sit in the penultimate spot of the USL Western Conference. Former Dynamo striker Jason Johnson will be leading the line, having scored three times this season, while another former MLSer in Carlos Alvarez will be looking to link up play in the middle.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS (MLS) vs. KITSAP PUMAS (USLPDL), 10:30 p.m.

The Kitsap Pumas ply their trade in USLPDL in Bremerton, Washington, facing off against the Seattle Sounders U-23 side in league play. It will be a different story Wednesday night, though, as the club looks to extend their cup run.

After beating the Sounders U-23 team in their first match with a 90th minute strike, Pumas stunned USL side Sacramento Republic 3-1 in the last round. That win can be attributed to the scouting of former Sports Illustrated writer and current goalkeeper coach Liviu Bird, alongside the two goals from Javier Castro and another from Mike Ramos.

Sigi Schmid and the Sounders will be looking to put last year’s Open Cup disaster behind them and start anew tonight. The hosts lost 3-1 to rivals the Portland Timbers last year, behind three red cards and an outburst from Clint Dempsey that saw him handed a lengthy Open Cup ban.

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