Tues, 9/4 US Open Cup Semifinals: RailHawks v Revolution

[Hed7181]

I know you guys have a very busy schedule next week, but I noticed no one was talking about this big game.

Has the US Open Cup kind of been put on the back burner with the playoff race going on? You realize the RailHawks are only 2 wins away from taking home serious hardware in their first ever season with the potential for an all USL final!

Like I said, I know you guys are busy; 4 games in one week!!! That's insane! I just thought this was worth discussing as well.

Do you think the team is still pumped up for this?
Is anyone making the trip up to see the game?

Good luck with the rest of the season. I have always been a very interested spectator in the fortunes of the Carolina RailHawks.

[wjarrettc]

The team is definitely pumped. If they can get a win against Portland on Saturday they are going to be flying high heading into this.

I think a lot of us are disappointed there's no TV or streaming video whatsoever so we're stuck listening on the radio or trying to figure out how to get to Hartford on the day after Labor Day.

[Hed7181]

No TV coverage is a bummer. The local paper was spouting potential ESPN 2 coverage, which was total crap, probably just trying to generate interest.

The timing of the game definitely could've been better, but that's what happens near the end of the season, I guess.

A question that was asked on the Revs boards...

Do you think the FO and even possibly the team care more about the playoff race and league position or the potential of beating another MLS 'giant' or two and claiming the US Open Cup? I realize they don't necessarily have to pick one or the other, but with that crowded of a schedule, players will need rest. Which matches do you think guys will be saved for?

[aimorris]

From watching the team over the course of the season, it seems to me they play their hardest during USOC. That may not really be true, but that's just the impression I get watching from the stands.

Also, making the playoffs in our first year, especially after going through so many injuries and problems in the middle of the season, would be huge. But scraping by at the end of the year to be the last playoff team in and winning the nation's oldest soccer tournament by beating at least 2 and possibly 3 MLS teams is a huge difference. I'd personally like to see us give it all for the USOC, but that's just one man's opinion.

jinx

Besides, we have the Vics and the Thunder left in the league, chalk up the W's automatically

/jinx

[wjarrettc]

Do you think the FO and even possibly the team care more about the playoff race and league position or the potential of beating another MLS 'giant' or two and claiming the US Open Cup?

Straight from a conversation with our GM. The US Open Cup is the most important competition that our team competes in each year.

Economides won the Open Cup in 1999 with Rochester and its his most treasured championship in his sporting profession. He even has a replica US Open Cup trophy from 1999 in his office here in Cary. I am honestly stunned that he didn't outbid NE to host the match. He cares that much about this competition.

Two of our regular starters, captain Frankie Sanfilippo (RB) and midfielder Jonny Steele, are both suspended for Saturday's game due to yellow card accumulation so they'll be fresh off about 10 days non-match play rest for Tuesday night's game.

BTW, I've heard a rumor the win bonuses for Open Cup matches is double that what it for league games :)

[Hed7181]

That's awesome.

The US Open Cup is a great way to prove yourself. I appreciate Mr. Economides passion.

The Revs are taking this one seriously as well. The team is pretty desperate for some hardware after a few years of coming so close. This is what Jeff Larentowicz had to say about it,

"It's another game that we're completely focused on because the Open Cup is something we've missed in the last couple years. We're looking forward to the opportunity (to win), especially here in New England."

http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=27316&pcid=115

This should be a great, hard fought game. I'm with you guys, though. I'm stuck listening to online radio. Bummer.

[wjarrettc]

Final locations announced...Seattle or Dallas

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_2228230.html

[Brandon313]

man im suprised Economides didnt fight harder for it

[wjarrettc]

man im suprised Economides didnt fight harder for it

I'm sure he put the best offer he could forward, but when you know the stadium will max out at 7,000 you can't compete with the bigger stadia once the other teams get serious in their bidding.

[NCFire]

I'm sure he put the best offer he could forward, but when you know the stadium will max out at 7,000 you can't compete with the bigger stadia once the other teams get serious in their bidding.

<a href="http://trisoccerfan.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=66">8093 for US-Jamaica</a> but it'd probably be prohibitively expensive to put the extra risers in that made that possible.

Still, (cross-posted from yahoo-list)

Announced Attendances
98: 18,615 Chicago (including me)
99: 4,555 C-Bus
2000: 19,146 Chicago (including me)
2001: 4,195 LA
2002: 6,054 C-Bus
2003: 5,183 NY/NJ(my flight to NYC was cancelled)
2004: 8,819 Kansas City
2005: 10,000 LA
2006: 8,185 Chicago

Unless it is the Fire at Old Soldier Field it looks like SAS would be plenty big, esp. when you allow for inevitable MLS crowd inflation.

Also, so far this year:

Dallas vs. Atlanta 2,510
Seattle v. Chivas 3,589
Seattle v Rapids 6,619
{of course Railhawks-Fire was also under 5k)

FWIW, if Seattle advances, they will have played every USOC match this tournament at home.

[REVS FAN 1]

I'm sure he put the best offer he could forward, but when you know the stadium will max out at 7,000 you can't compete with the bigger stadia once the other teams get serious in their bidding.

FWIW, the stadium in New Britain is hardly big....as of today they've sold 2500 tickets....

We had about 1500 for the Harrisburg quarterfinal at Gillette...

Just talked with Parks and Recs again, guy named Bill. He is totally into this game and wants everyone to have as much fun as possible. Flags and poles will be allowed along with whatever else you want. One thing he did say is that if anyone gets hurt or uses a pole as a weapon they will be arrested on the spot.
below is where the Riders will be. He said this way we can stand, waive flags and not ruin anyones view, plus it is right above the VIP tent.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/firstshirt/4zva8lg.jpg

[firstshirt]

FWIW, the stadium in New Britain is hardly big....as of today they've sold 2500 tickets....

We had about 1500 for the Harrisburg quarterfinal at Gillette...

Veterans park stadium holds 9k, past home of the Connecticut Wolves

[wjarrettc]

I've just been told that Frankie can play Saturday as his suspension doesn't have to be served until 7 days from the last card he picked up. Saturday is only 6 days so he plans to play against Portland and New England before sitting against Minnesota.

[aimorris]

I've just been told that Frankie can play Saturday as his suspension doesn't have to be served until 7 days from the last card he picked up. Saturday is only 6 days so he plans to play against Portland and New England before sitting against Minnesota.

Hmm, I kind of thought we would've conceded the Portland game and focused on beating the teams we should beat. But with that said, it is our regular season home finale and you can't ever really fault a team for putting its best team out there. Steele's still a no-go for Saturday, correct? And we should pretty much plan on having a full strength squad against NE as well?

[wjarrettc]

I think we want to take 3 points as quickly as possible. Portland is playing for first place but does have some injury and suspension worries. Gregor and Dombrowski are both nursing injuries for Portland and Gregor who is a key offensive player for them is also close to a suspension for card accumulation so we may have the advantage.

Steele is out because it is the 2nd game of his two game suspension (the first was against Montreal). We should be full strength for NE barring any injuries on Saturday.

[Hed7181]

The Revs have been banged up recently, but with a full 9 days between their last game and the USOC Semifinal, I'm thinking we'll have a few more hands on deck. Noonan will probably be available by then. Jay Heaps will not. Other than that, I think the Revs will be at full strength.

The Revs do have a huge game at DC United five days after the USOC on Sunday. This game carries big time implications for the Supporters Shield. It will be interesting to see if all the regular starters play on Tuesday and how many minutes they play as well. Past experience would say they're likely to go the full 90. Steve Nicol is not loose with this substitutions and is definitely not afraid of sticking with the 11 guys he starts with.

We will have to wait and see. I'm pumped!

[wjarrettc]

Jay Heaps will not.

Damn, our resident Dukie is always good for a silly foul, a given away penalty, or an own goal.

Just kidding... :)

[jrkumor]

So, will there be any RailHawk fans coming up to CT for the game?

[thegreatcrab]

Damn, our resident Dukie is always good for a silly foul, a given away penalty, or an own goal.

Just kidding... :)

Dookie Jarrett Dookie. ;-)

I like being back on campus.

[wjarrettc]

So, will there be any RailHawk fans coming up to CT for the game?

I really, really want to come but the timing is horrible. I've been on the road for like 4 straight weeks and my wife would kill me if I left for another night that wasn't work related.

Besides, I'm saving my money to travel to Seattle for the final :)