By DAN KARELL
The potential semifinal pairings for the 101st addition of the U.S. Open Cup have been released, and it includes the likelihood that a North American Soccer League club could host a semifinal game.
Out of the eight teams remaining in the tournament, only four clubs will host in the next round, including the Carolina RailHawks. If the RailHawks defeat FC Dallas in the quarterfinals, they’d host either the New England Revolution or the Philadelphia Union at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
In the other potential semifinals scenarios, FC Dallas would host either the Revolution or Union, and the winner of the Chicago Fire and Atlanta Silverbacks matchup will visit either the Portland Timbers or Seattle Sounders, depending on who wins that game. If the Sounders win, the match would be played at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.
The semifinal matches will take place on Aug. 12 or 13, after the quarterfinal round taking place on July 8-9. The final of the U.S. Open Cup will take place on either Sept. 30 or Oct. 1. U.S. Soccer’s “Game of the Round” will be the Sounders vs. Portland matchup.
Here’s a closer look at the potential semifinal pairings:
2014 U.S. OPEN CUP POTENTIAL SEMIFINAL ROUND PAIRINGS
Aug. 12
8 p.m. CT – Philadelphia Union (MLS) at FC Dallas (MLS) – Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
or
Aug. 13
8 p.m. CT – New England Revolution (MLS) at FC Dallas (MLS) – Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
or
Aug. 12
7:30 p.m. ET – Philadelphia Union (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL) – WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
or
Aug. 13
7:30 p.m. ET – New England Revolution (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL) – WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
Aug. 13
7:30 p.m. PT – Chicago Fire (MLS) / Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) winner at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.
or
Aug. 13
7:30 p.m. PT – Chicago Fire (MLS) / Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) winner at Portland Timbers (MLS) – Providence Park; Portland, Ore.