2011 US Open Cup - RSL at Dallas, Tuesday 12 July, 7:00 [R]

Someone was asking about this earlier (schedule/opponents/etc.), but I was not able to find that specific thread/comment. And its about time to get a thread for this started anyway, even though RSL's involvement is almost 4 months away.

Found this article about the 2011 USOC schedule/format:
http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/501469.html

RSL will enter in the 3rd round (R16) about June 28 and face an opponent from a lower league (USL Pro/PDL, USASA, NPSL).

Quarterfinals are July 12

Semifinals are August 30

Final is October 4


Interestingly, the MLS decided to change their qualifying format. Instead of a strictly seeding based format, they decided to go with a regional format.

#8 Chivas vs. #10 Portland, winner plays #2 San Jose
#1 Colorado vs. #4 Chicago
Winners of Colorado and San Jose matches play each other for R16 spot

#7 Philadelphia vs. #9 DC, winner plays #6 New England
#3 KC vs. #5 Houston
Winners of New England and KC matches play each other for R16 spot


As an RSL fan, I'm crossing my fingers that RSL's bracket (and potential quarterfinal opponent) includes the KC bracket qualifier winner.
Other nice potential opponents in RSL's half of the bracket:
LA - will likely be focusing on the CCL now that they are automatically in the group phase to avoid another epic failure

Colorado bracket qualifier winner (unless it is San Jose) - Colorado would be another epic rivalry match. If they decide to focus on the CCL, they should be beatable if they advance this far. San Jose could be a tough matchup with something to prove, but the other teams shouldn't be too tough.


Teams to avoid:
NY - without the CCL, they have this and the MLS to play for this season

Dallas - CCL group play could help, but the prospect of a mid-July match in Dallas is ugly

Columbus - this really depends on how we play tonight. Like NY, they don't have much else to play for this season. If we show we can dominate tonight, they don't scare me.

Seattle - they will play in the CCL preliminary round and might want to erase the memory of their CCL performance last year. However, they are also back to back USOC champions and have the prospect of being the first 3-time consecutive champions in 40+ years.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Holy crap Beaveman.... this is the worst karma posting I've seen here in a long time.... you really started the US Open thread on the eve of our elimination Concacaf game?

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Was just looking at the TV broadcast thread/schedule and came across the USOC schedule - didn't realize it had already been released.

Aren't we supposed to be looking ahead to a possible treble (or more)?

If RSL loses, feel free to throw a dead cat on my doorstep or something.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

I see no reason why a cat has to die as a result of your carelessness...

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Just noticed that the sites for MLS qualifying have been announced as well.

# 10 Portland plays at #8 Chivas, winner plays at #2 San Jose
#1 Colorado plays at #4 Chicago
Winner of Colorado match plays at the winner of San Jose match for R16 spot

#7 Philadelphia plays at #9 DC, winner hosts #6 New England
#3 KC plays at #5 Houston
Winner of New England match plays at the winner of KC match for R16 spot

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Is that the same dead feline that you can't swing around your head in Utah county without hitting descendents of polygamists?

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

That Rep Oda shot?

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

I thought we used chalk to demonstrate our displeasure.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Chalk is fine too. Just don't leave the oversized soccer ball on my porch.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

You've got to be ********ing kidding me. Does anyone but Seattle give a shit about the Open Cup?

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

I guess you could also say, You've got to be ********ing kidding me. Does any MLS team, but RSL, give a crap about the Champions League?

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

I care about the US Open Cup as a trophy there will put RSL in the CCL next year. If RSL don't take the LHUSOC then they have to win the Supporter's Shield or the MLS Cup.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Yes, they do care about it, they just haven't ever been competitive in CCL. RSL is the first that hasn't just rolled over while they were playing in places like Mexico.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

+1

I also care about the 2011 USOC because RSL will not be participating in the CCL this August-October. A few extra competitive matches (i.e. non-reserve league) would be great to help the reserves develop and not get rusty. Seeing how much Schuler has progressed, I'd love to see him get more pitch time in any match to keep him fresh and keep progressing further. I'm sure RSL has a few other hidden gems that just haven't had many opportunities yet as well (Gil? Arnaux?)

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Exactly. A radio talking head said last year that he was surprised that RSL didn't take the LHUSOC more seriously, because it seemed the easiest path to the CCL. I agree.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

MLS schedule around the Open Cup:

Toronto @ RSL 6/25
Open Cup R16 - 6/28
New England @ RSL 7/4

FC Dallas @ RSL - 7/9
Open Cup QF - 7/12
RSL @ Vancouver - 7/16

RSL @ Chivas USA - 8/27
Open Cup SF - 8/30
RSL @ Seattle - 9/10

RSL @ Los Angeles - 10/1
Open Cup Final - 10/4


You know...that's not too bad...a potential (depending on how the brackets shake out) of zero cross country trips until the final...if we get that far and assuming we don't host the thing...

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

I try to care about it. Then when a game comes around and I see it is 2 days before a league match my opinion changes entirely.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Exactly. Winning the league > LHUSOC

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Banish this meaningless tournament, please!!!!!

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

RSL's roster is currently at least 19-20 players deep, as shown through multiple CCL matches last season as well as the simultaneous league play. With a roster that deep, there is no reason RSL can't work on achieving both this season, especially when they won't be participating in the CCL after this spring.

Success in one tournament does not necessarily equate to failure in the other!

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

So, the Football Association should banish the FA Cup?

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Yeah. Dumb 97 year old tournament.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

It shouldn't be meaningless. It is the only national tournament we have. It also comes with a ticket to the CCL.

There is a similar tourney in England. THey don't think it is meaningless.

Re: 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

this tournament isnt meaningless, but it is very low in terms of priority. Lets all be honest

I dont know if DadOf6 meant it this way, but when he stated "it shouldnt be meaningless" it summed it all up, in a way. The tournament probably should have a stronger importance attached to it, but with all the limitations teams have in this country, this tournament simply isnt worth putting much focus on. Imagine if a team put its focus on this rather than MLS play or CCL and then they lost. It would be a nightmare.