By SEAN RUBIO
Four MLS and four USL teams will combine for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, with two USL-2 sides looking to go glory hunting into the semifinals.
In the only all-MLS tie, Kansas City Wizards are travelling to the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, WA to take on Seattle Sounders FC. It will be the Wizards' 5th game in two weeks, including a 4-3 penalty shootout win against Minnesota Thunder in the Third Round of the Open Cup last week. Meanwhile, the Sounders have had a week to prepare, with their last match being the 2-1 win over Portland Timbers in the previous round of the cup.
After surviving a late scare with Ocean City Barons, DC United will play host to Harrisburg City Islanders, a USL-2 side that up-ended New England Revolution 2-1 in extra time in the previous round.
Western Conference leaders Houston Dynamo will travel east to Charleston Battery's Blackbaud Stadium. Charleston beat Chivas USA 3-1 in the Third Round thanks to two goals from New Jersey-born Randi Patterson. This is the third year in a row that Charleston have reached the quarterfinals.
In the only all-USL draw of the round, Rochester Rhinos play host to Wilmington Hammerheads in the recently renamed Marina Auto Stadium. Both teams defeated an MLS side to get to the quarterfinals, with Rochester beating Columbus Crew on penalties, and Wilmington Hammerheads topping Chicago Fire 1-0 on a goal from Kenny Bundy. Bundy also scored the game-tying goal in the final minute of extra time in Wilmington's second round defeat of Carolina RailHawks. In their defeat of Chicago, it was the first time since 2003 that Wilmington had beaten an MLS side.
Think MLS sides need to be more wary of their USL opponents this round? Hoping to see Randi Patterson continue to do well? Still looking for a reason to care about the US Open Cup?
Share your thoughts below.
I think the teams bid on hosting. The teams place a bid on who gets to host. Highest Bid wins home field advantage.
Does anyone know how they determine home field for these US Open Cup matches? Is it a coin flip like the FA Cup? Why can’t Houston ever get a home game??!?
“Great Win SSFC. ACES, All Clubs Envy Seattle. I love the hate, it only makes us stronger.”
Yea for sure, SSFC is the greastest club in the world, just look at the 80K that showed up for that new playe… oh wait, they are an above average MLS team, nevermind.
This aside, I listened to the radio broadcast over the internet, the SSFC announcers did a pretty good job, good win, you certainly deserved it (Wizards (my team) are certainly stuggling right now and it sounded like you guys had the run of play by quite a bit)… One part had me and my bro in law rolling, it was something like “Jewsbury came right up his backside”
Great Win SSFC. ACES, All Clubs Envy Seattle. I love the hate, it only makes us stronger.
houstons lineup
hall
chabala boswell james
cruz hayden ustrick ashe
cameron
akinbyi oduro
? Rory ? – You object to flowing offensive soccer?
Here’s hoping Houstan wins the Open Cup so another spot will open for MLS teams in the Concacaf Champions League. (I’d rather anyone win then Seattle).
Thats good
Le Toux Legit! Le Toux Legit to Quit!
LeToux hits a PK in the 89th minute to put the Sounders up 1-0 after Montero was fouled in the box.
GOAL SEATTLE!!!!
Seattle needs to STEP IT UP!
Listening to the Sounders audio feed of the Seattle-KC game now. It’s still 0-0, but Seattle seems to have the better run of play for now.
Lets go Sounders here we go!
DCU advances over HCI 2-1
What was Houston’s lineup?
Houston 4-0 in 2nd half… Geoff Cameron w/ a brace so far, playing central mid it looks like
that should read “as entertaining an Open Cup game as any i’ve seen.” Definitely did not mean that it was the most open and entertaining game, just for the Open Cup.
the charleston – houston game was decent to watch at first, before the deluge, quick-paced and as entertaining a open game i’ve seen; then the skies opened up and the game is absolutely horrendous to watch. I don’t know if I can finish watching lol.
Also, the videographer may be asleep. He just completely lost the ball for a bit.
Horrible field conditions on a rain soaked Charleston field.
DC up 2-0 midway through the first. Goals from Boyzzz and Jacobson.
Seattle really needs to STEP IT UP if they want to have any chance at Silverware.
STEP YOUR GAME UP SEATTLE!
For the love of God! Why does USL have video and the MLS doesn’t? Anyone know how to watch the Sounders game?
a couple of the games are showing online:
http://usllive.com/usl/console.jsp
All Hail the Open Cup!
The Open Cup needs to get their act together. I wanna watch the match!
I would like to see Charleston get back to the final again this year and win it. I think they would be a great addition to the CONCACAF Champions League. They are a well run team with a nice facility.
Seattle-KC game will have a live audiocast on http://www.soundersfc.com. Also, the game is being held at Starfire in Tukwila with a capacity close to 5,000- you should expect it to be a sell out.
Starfire holds 4000 or so and will probably be sold out.
So whats the over/under on attendance for the Sounder/KC game?
“Wilmington Hammerheads topping Chicago Fire 1-0 on a goal from Kenny Bundy. Bundy also scored the game-tying goal in the final minute of extra time in Wilmington’s second round defeat of Carolina RailHawks.”
Whoooooooa Bundy!
Are any of these matches on TV?
I’d love to see the Harrisburg City Islanders in the Concacaf Champions League next year. Then they could go on to win it all and face Real Madrid in the Club World Cup next year…OK, maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself, but it is a great story to follow.
I’m looking forward to all of the matches!