By THOMAS FLOYD
FC Dallas didn’t have to wait long for an opportunity to exact revenge against the Portland Timbers.
Just 11 days after Portland defeated Dallas 1-0 in a league match at Jeld-Wen Field, the clubs will meet again Wednesday at FC Dallas Stadium in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.
The match is one of two fixtures Wednesday pitting MLS clubs against each other in the 100-year-old tournament, with D.C. United hosting the New England Revolution in the other.
The other two matchups are David and Goliath encounters, with the second-tier Carolina RailHawks traveling to face Real Salt Lake and third-division Orlando City trying to continue its Cinderella run with a win at the Chicago Fire.
Here is a rundown of the quarterfinal slate:
D.C. UNITED vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (Wednesday, 7 p.m.)
After playing to a scoreless draw at New England earlier this month, the longtime Eastern Conference foes will meet again at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds. While the Revolution are 5-1-1 in their past seven games overall and United have the worst record in MLS, the D.C. side is coming off its first league win since March 9.
Look for United, whose regular season has become a lost cause, to play a full-strength lineup including captain Dwayne De Rosario, who had a hat trick in a round of 16 win over Philadelphia and was rested for United’s league triumph over Vancouer on Saturday.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. ORLANDO CITY (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.)
On-loan striker Dom Dwyer, who had to sit out Orlando’s round of 16 upset because it came against parent club Sporting Kansas City, will return to the lineup for Orlando, which tops the USL Pro table with a 10-1-2 record and also eliminated the Colorado Rapids from the Open Cup.
While Dwyer tops the third tier with 15 goals, Chicago’s Mike Magee is tied for the MLS lead with 10 tallies. Since joining the Fire in a trade with Los Angeles, Magee has scored in all six matches spanning MLS and Open Cup play.
FC DALLAS vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS (Wednesday, 9 p.m.)
Portland, which hasn’t lost a game on the road in 2013, will put that mark to the test against a Dallas team that is one point back of the Timbers for first in the Western Conference. While Dallas defeated Houston in the Open Cup round of 16, the Timbers are facing their first MLS opponent of the tournament.
Both teams offer plenty of depth, which should help produce an entertaining matchup even if certain starters are rested. Although Portland has the weekend off from league play, Dallas has a clash with the Philadelphia Union around the corner.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. CAROLINA RAILHAWKS (Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.)
At first place in the NASL with a 5-1-4 record, Carolina should provide a tough test to Salt Lake after having already knocked off the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA. With eight goals, Carolina’s Brian Shriver tops the second division.
Boasting a 6-0-1 record in its past seven matches spanning all competitions, Salt Lake will want to continue its winning ways and secure the Open Cup semifinal berth that has eluded the proud organization over the past decade.