Let's be clear: MLS doesn't like the US Open Cup. The Open Cup, a US Soccer tradition, pairs teams from up and down the professional and amateur ladder to crown the top club team in the States.
The third round, played last night, invites MLS teams into the fray and three of them lost. The NY Red Bulls lost to 2nd Division Crystal Palace USA, Houston Dynamo lost to 1st Division Charleston Battery, and Chivas USA was beat by the Seattle Sounders.
DC United played last night as well, beating the Rochester Rhinos 2-0. The game, played at the Maryland SoccerPlex, drew 2,000+ spectators.
Yes, the other MLS teams won. Hooray. By looking at DC's lineup, though, you can see how much energy they put forth in these matches. Only 4 of their 11 normal starters began the game last night, and the 2 goals came on set pieces from a good part-time player, Marc Burch.
In a few weeks, the Cup will end like past years...2 MLS teams bleeding their way to the final to play what amounts to a regular season game that doesn't count for much.
Why don't we eliminate the MLS teams or force them to play their better players? What would make this mean something for them?
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1 comment:
I agree... let the Cup be decided by the teams below MLS... besides, they could use the money a whole lot more than them and it will give them each a lofty goal to achieve... Knowing that each of them brought their beat to play each other....
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