So Waldo slaps together an Amateur club in Thousand Oaks,CA (represent!) and gives the finger to MLS. Greatest upset in Open Cup history in the modern era. Former Fusion players and random MLS castaways defeat Portland in their own house and shock the soccer establishment. I hate the fact they wear old Fire kits (working on changing that), but, got to ask what that says about MLS scouting that these guys get passed over. Wynalda has been slamming MLS for "doing it wrong" in terms of player development for a while now. Wonder what his tweets will look like tomorrow. Wonder if he'll ever get an MLS Head Coach position? Regardless of what happens against Seattle next, well done boys.
The 4th Round of the Open Cup is really available for anyone who wants it, more or less. So few MLS teams really try to win it that advancing out of the 3rd Round is really just a matter of making sure you don't get drawn against one of the 3 teams that care. Still, good work boys
Cal FC: Derby Carrillo (Cal State Dominguez Hills, All American, PDL) Jesus Gonzalez (?) Alberto Navarro (?) Mike Randolph (former LA Galaxy) Hector Espinosa (?) Richard Manjivar (El Salavador U21, US under under) Eder Arreola (US U20, out of IMG) Cesar Rivera (probably LA Blues player, USL Pro and PDL) Pablo Cruz (US U18) Paulo Ferreira-Mendez (not sure about this one, hard to filter from a Chelsea player) Diego Barrera (Colombian, USL pro and PDL) Alex Caceres (USL, PDL) Danny Barrera (US U17, US U18) Artur Aghasyan (RSL, Armenian U19 U21) Not your average amateur squad of overweight immigrants who kick it around on the weekend. If they didn't beat your average MLS reserve squad 2 out of 3 times, I'd be surprised. MLS reserve teams are shit, which I guess is Waldo's point.
They didn't lose because they didn't care ... they just lost because, sometimes, that's how the game plays out. They had 37 shots to Cal's 8, 15 on goal to Cal's 3. They missed a PK. This happens, but it doesn't show that you didn't care.
Not sure if you misinterpreted me or not but I meant it's even more pathetic they DID actually care and tried to win but couldn't beat an amateur 5th division side at their own home stadium.
No, I understand what you're saying, and I'm not disagreeing. My comment was more in relation to the post above yours saying this is how much the USOC matters. Losing when you played balls to the wall is different from losing by not really going all out. Yes, it's a loss either way, but I'd always rather have my team leave the field knowing they gave it their best shot.
I don't know, if I have to lose to a USASA team, I'd rather it be because my team sent 9 U16s with busted knees
I agree with this, if you threw out your reserves and they didn't perform it's disappointing but not the end of the world. Since they played starters, I think John Spencer has some serious self reflecting to do if his preferred team using his preferred (and primitive) tactics couldn't put a single goal past an amateur team in 120 minutes.
While I understand that, there's still a difference between losing a game and the Joe Public home game.
Interestring read about Cal FC: http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog...cers-errant-son-returns-to-teach-it-a-lesson/
Exactly. Like the time when we lost to the Mid-Michigan Bucks 12 years ago. Shaker Asad missed a PK, and they bunkered the whole time and got a goal on the counter. Meanwhile, we dominated posession and peppered their net, but couldn't score. It sucks, but it's part of the game. Sometimes the better team doesn't win. I have no problem with the Revs approach to that game, although the result was really disappointing, like what Portland must be feeling right now. Of course, we beat the Bucks 7-0 the next year and went to the Finals. Amazing what even a bad team like the 2001 non-playoff Revs could do when they decided to care about the trophy they had the best shot at winning. This does not compare to Joe Public, where the Revs put in absolutely no effort and the post game quotes from Nicol and several players all reflected the attitude of "It's a silver lining, since we won't have all the fixture congestion and won't have to travel to Central America or Mexico. Now we can concentrate on winning MLS Cup." How did that work out?
Honestly, if the Revs sent out a reserve team and lost to a USASA team, I'd be apoplectic. There is no justification for the premiere division in the US to lose to "amateurs" (yes, I know, PDL, NASL, etc.). Trying or not, this should have been a walk in the park.
I agree. There was an aberrational side to this, not that that's anything but cold comfort to the Portland fans. But still, in a way, I think it's worse to cough up a three-goal lead in the last fifteen minutes to a team several divisions below you.
A win like this is what makes the USOC a great tournament. It's just too bad it isn't marketed/promoted properly so that it can thrive.
Regardless of the lineups, shot disparity or the perception of "caring", tying Cal FC 3-3 shows that you don't care all that much about a tournament, whether it's deliberate or subconsciously. Face it, no one really cares about the USOC except people searching for nostalgia and some psuedo-amateurs in their one shot at glory.
As I said, that's fine. In the meantime, there are people that care about the tournament. I'm not trying to convince you to care, but let me enjoy it.
Considering it's a 100 yr old tournament and our wonderful FA,SF,USSOCCER, USSF, or whatever you want to call those lackeys that have run this org. have never properly promoted it..the modern era of technology is making strides to do otherwise. And those who love it..or even like it..can band together, get instant updates and follow the entire process. Who cares if outlets like the Globe, Times, etc...don't see fit to report it or hype it like they do everything else. Perhaps one day people like Kraft, and others will give a shit..and people like Sunil and Garber will be gone and the game can truly grow for everyone.
I think Garber has been overall a positive and steadying influence on the game in the US. If I am recalling right, it became compulsory for US MLS teams to participate in the USOC on his watch. Half-assed universal participation is considerably better than most of MLS just ignoring the competition entirely in my book.
Completely agree. The Don has been a saving grace for this league. He'll have a trophy, stadium, tournament, or something else named after him one day.