US Open Cup and CT

[ZooCougar]

Cosmos played their asses off. That was a really entertaining game, some of these "Derby" games ought to be on TV. People were tweeting that the Cosmos game was better than the Brazil game tonight.

That Cosmos goalkeeper though. Jurgen needs to take a look at him.

 

[ZooCougar]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-geographic-groupings-thursdays-round-16-draw

Here are the regional groups for tonight's draw. For the first time, they will use a fixed bracket starting in the round of 16. Here is where is departs from the FA Cup or other European Cup draws that are random to the best of my knowledge. This is a good thing given the travel. Earlier rounds have been regional but not truly fixed to keep travel costs down for the small clubs.

This is probably a good thing because it will create some regional rivalries.

Cosmos might get a crack at NYRB. Which would really add some appeal to the tournament IMO.

East
D.C. United
New York Cosmos (NASL)
New York Red Bulls
Philadelphia Union

South
Charlotte Independence (USL)
Chicago Fire
Columbus Crew SC
Orlando City

Central
Colorado Rapids
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
Sporting Kansas City

West
LA Galaxy
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes

 

[ZooCougar]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...chups-set-round-16-first-season-fixed-bracket

Round of 16 (June 30-July 1)
New York Red Bulls vs. New York Cosmos (East)
Philadelphia Union vs. D.C. United (East)
Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte Independence (South)
Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew SC (South)
Sporting Kansas City vs. FC Dallas (Central)
Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids (Central)
Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers (West)
San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy (West)

Quarterfinals (July 21-22)
East final (Red Bulls/Cosmos winner to host)
South final (Chicago/Charlotte winner to host)
Central final (Sporting KC/FC Dallas winner to host)
West final (RSL/Portland winner to host)

Semifinals (Aug. 11-12)
East vs. South
Central vs. West

Final (Sept. 29 or 30)
Semifinal winners

 

[SAMCRO]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-geographic-groupings-thursdays-round-16-draw
Here are the regional groups for tonight's draw. For the first time, they will use a fixed bracket starting in the round of 16. Here is where is departs from the FA Cup or other European Cup draws that are random to the best of my knowledge. This is a good thing given the travel. Earlier rounds have been regional but not truly fixed to keep travel costs down for the small clubs.
This is probably a good thing because it will create some regional rivalries.

This makes a lot of sense, and you pointed out 2 of the reasons... ease of travel (England is about the size of the "East" bracket you listed above, so travel is not a factor over there), building even deeper rivalries will park more interest...the general interest in the US is low to non-exesten - even in the soccer communities - so this can only help (i think).

 

[SAMCRO]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...chups-set-round-16-first-season-fixed-bracket

Round of 16 (June 30-July 1)
New York Red Bulls vs. New York Cosmos (East)
Philadelphia Union vs. D.C. United (East)
Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte Independence (South)
Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew SC (South)
Sporting Kansas City vs. FC Dallas (Central)
Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids (Central)
Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers (West)
San Jose Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy (West)

Quarterfinals (July 21-22)
East final (Red Bulls/Cosmos winner to host)
South final (Chicago/Charlotte winner to host)
Central final (Sporting KC/FC Dallas winner to host)
West final (RSL/Portland winner to host)

Semifinals (Aug. 11-12)
East vs. South
Central vs. West

Final (Sept. 29 or 30)
Semifinal winners

Love the matchups in the East bracket. Wish NYRB was at the Cosmos for a more intimate environment, but those 2 pairings should draw solid local interest.

 

[ZooCougar]

Love the matchups in the East bracket. Wish NYRB was at the Cosmos for a more intimate environment, but those 2 pairings should draw solid local interest.

If the USSF and MLS don't see the value of all these New York Derbies then they are nuts. Supposedly Cosmos and NYCFC fans rumbled at Miniola station LOL. This rivalry element has taken far too long in developing.

Even St. Louis brought about 500 fans and filled the visitors section at Sporting Park. It was a totally different atmosphere with two supporter's groups trying to outdo eachother.

 

[UCFBfan]

If the USSF and MLS don't see the value of all these New York Derbies then they are nuts. Supposedly Cosmos and NYCFC fans rumbled at Miniola station LOL. This rivalry element has taken far too long in developing.

Even St. Louis brought about 500 fans and filled the visitors section at Sporting Park. It was a totally different atmosphere with two supporter's groups trying to outdo eachother.

You should have just seen the Youtube chat going on during the live feed. There were fans going back and forth the whole time.

I like that they made it regional. It not only helps the teams in terms of travel but fans as well. More likely to get away fans to go to games that are close by as opposed to something like the Cosmos vs Houston.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

As many socioeconomic obstacles as the city of St. Louis and some suburbs face, no question exists regarding the area's soccer hotbed status. How St. Louis still does not have an MLS team is challenging to rationalize. Building a soccer stadium in the city may be a push, but its' I-70 counterpart managed to pull off a convenient highway only access stadium.

What's held back and holding off the Gateway City? Economics? Downtrodden urban/suburban area? TV market size? No prospective, and interested beaucoup bucks owner(s)? Other? Some combo?

 

[DarthGrumpy]

As many socioeconomic obstacles as the city of St. Louis and some suburbs face, no question exists regarding the area's soccer hotbed status. How St. Louis still does not have an MLS team is challenging to rationalize. Building a soccer stadium in the city may be a push, but its' I-70 counterpart managed to pull off a convenient highway only access stadium.

What's held back and holding off the Gateway City? Economics? Downtrodden urban/suburban area? TV market size? No prospective, and interested beaucoup bucks owner(s)? Other? Some combo?

MLS channeling it's inner Bettman and insisting that putting teams in cities that do not want a team; but gets one because they are big cities (a 2nd LA team, Miami, a 2nd NYC team without a stadium in place, a team for Atlanta's new football stadium) over a smaller city that would fully support soccer - St. Louis.

 

[ZooCougar]

As many socioeconomic obstacles as the city of St. Louis and some suburbs face, no question exists regarding the area's soccer hotbed status. How St. Louis still does not have an MLS team is challenging to rationalize. Building a soccer stadium in the city may be a push, but its' I-70 counterpart managed to pull off a convenient highway only access stadium.

What's held back and holding off the Gateway City? Economics? Downtrodden urban/suburban area? TV market size? No prospective, and interested beaucoup bucks owner(s)? Other? Some combo?

You probably saw yourself on Bigsoccer that St. Louis has thrown its hat in the ring for a team. I guess the plan is to build a new football stadium for the Rams with the idea in mind that it could be built to host a pro soccer team as well. I think they will be a real contender because the Missouri Governor hosted Don Garber a few weeks ago to make the pitch.

MLS channeling it's inner Bettman and insisting that putting teams in cities that do not want a team; but gets one because they are big cities (a 2nd LA team, Miami, a 2nd NYC team without a stadium in place, a team for Atlanta's new football stadium) over a smaller city that would fully support soccer - St. Louis.

So apparently Minnesota may not be a done deal. They haven't figured out the stadium situation yet and they have a 1 July deadline, and MLS is saying they are holding them to that. If that bid gets retracted there will be some howling over double standards for sure.

 

[meyers7]

I'd love to see St. Louis get a MLS team.

 

[UCFBfan]

I'd love to see St. Louis get a MLS team.

Just not in a NFL stadium!

 

[ZooCougar]

Goals galore. Stupid fun game to see in person. What a romp.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...nsas-city-vs-fc-dallas-round-16-sporting-park

 

[ZooCougar]

US Open Cup tonight.

Houston Dynamo at KC-Will be there, I love the cheap tickets for this one and it's a sell out. Dynamo is depleted due to call ups and injuries. KC has a game Friday night in Salt Lake so it will be a funky lineup. It's only going to be 75 at game time so it might actually be an attractive match except its Houston and KC and they hate eachother.

Red Bulls and Philly, Red Bulls are playing well again, Philly actually is winning games. This will be a good one.

Tomorrow night Chicago and Orlando go at it.

RSL knocked out Los Angeles last week.

 

[ZooCougar]

Kansas City and Philly in the final on Sept 30. Supposedly it was picked up by Fox Sports.