All this soccer, it's almost overwhelming...

We are now our way tonight to figuring out our US Open Cup quarterfinalists. Is it me or does it feel like the age-old tournament is receiving a little more press this year than in the past? Regardless, all eyes are on...

DC United (MLS) vs. Ocean City Barons (PDL)
Maryland Soccerplex, Boyds, MD



The Barons will not only be playing an MLS side but they'll be doing it away from the oceanside Carey Stadium. The Barons have a shot of course but it will really depend on which DC United shows up. If there's anyone that's going to score for the underdogs, you can bet it will be former KC Wizard draft pick Byron Carmichael. The Barons beat up on two USL-2 squads, Crystal Palace Baltimore and Real Maryland to get here (both of which could have given DC some trouble) so don't expect it to be a walkover. If you're not in the area to watch it (Boyds, MD), go to USLLive.com and get the live feed. Should be a good one...

Soccer is a way of life for Ocean City Barons' owner Giancarlo Granese - pressofAtlanticCity.com
Open Cup blurb, Barons vs. United - Washington Post
Off from MLS play, OC looms next for DC United in US Open Cup - DC United Examiner, Ed Morgans

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) vs. New England Revolution (MLS)
Veterans Stadium, New Britain, CT



The Islanders are coming off a loss to Wilmington over the weekend and is there a better way to get back on track than by beating the Revolution? The Revs - even with an injury-depleted squad - progressed rather easily out of their Superliga group and await the July 15th semifinal match-up but will face Harrisburg without Taylor Twellman (out for a long stretch once again), Steve Ralston, Jay Heaps, Wells Thompson and Shalrie Joseph. So without three-quarters of their starting line-up can they defeat a hungry USL-2 side fighting to preserve the league's (USL-2's) participation in this tournament. Regardless, the Revs won the last meeting in 2007 on the way to lifting the trophy and it has been a while since they were beaten by lower-league competition, last upset in 2004.

Revs, Islanders meet in Open Cup third round - MLSNet.com
Golden opportunity for Isles - PennLive.com
Revolution return to New Britain - The New Britain Herald

Portland Timbers (USL-1) vs. Seattle Sounders (MLS)
PGE Park, Portland, OR - Wednesday, July 1st



Easily the marquee match-up of the US Open Cup third round, the Timbers and Sounders look to renew their rivalry but this time on somewhat uneven playing fields. The Sounders roster now carries the likes of Freddie Ljungberg, Fredy Montero, and Kasey Keller. Last year, where Sebastian Le Toux was the go-to guy in the USL-1 ranks, now you have former Swedish national team captain Ljungberg. It's a large difference but one that Portland - coming off a fantastic 4-0 thrashing of Montreal in USL-1 play - will hugely ignore. Seattle, off a great win of their own (3-0 over Colorado), will travel to Portland to play easily one of the best teams in that division at their home field, PGE Park and one of your most bitter rivals. Regardless of who's on your roster, that's a tough draw.

Rivalry Renewed: Sounders gear up for Portland next - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seattle, Portland meet in Northwest tilt - MLSNet.com
Timbers-Sounders matchup: a 'fight for every ball' - OregonLive.com

Chivas USA (MLS) vs. Charleston Battery (USL-1)
Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, SC



My pick for sure upset. Even with the Battery's form dipping after a nice undefeated run in USL-1 play, Charleston has the chops to get by the Goats, victims of a recent slump of their own too. The key for the Battery will be their backline which - despite recent losses - has been rock-solid in only giving up 6 goals all year so far. The Goats have had trouble finding the net and facing last season's Open Cup finalists - especially with their US Open Cup history (1-3-1 overall, 0-2-0 vs. USL-1 clubs) - might not bode well for Chivas. Then again, they might just have something to prove.

Chivas hope to charge Battery in Open Cup - MLSNet.com
Battery set for match versus MLS's CD Chivas USA - Our Sports Central

Other match-ups:

Wilmington Hammerheads (USL-2) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS) - Can former MLS player Jamie Watson take any frustrations he has out on the Fire?

Columbus Crew (MLS) vs. Rochester Rhinos (USL-1) - the Crew have underperformed in Open Cup play since they won in 2002 but their record against USL-1 squads remains decent, can pint-sized Johnny Menyongar keep Columbus out of the quarterfinals once again?

Kansas City Wizards (MLS) vs. Minnesota Thunder (USL-1) - the Wizards will be out seeking revenge for a loss four years ago in the Open Cup quarterfinals. They'll have to do it without Davy Arnaud and Jimmy Conrad though.

Houston Dynamo (MLS) vs. Austin Aztex (USL-1) - the Aztex have stabilized their league ship but now they face an angry Dynamo squad on Wednesday after the Western Conference leaders were sideswiped by the Galaxy on Sunday

Do you think the favorites will advance unscathed? If not, who will be picked off?