Not me. Sorry, I love the Open Cup. Some of the most fun games that I've been to. The early round games are a bit of a tough sell, with HCI coming every year. The Rhinos and Cosmos game were a blast though!
Glad I'm not the only one... was feeling like I was on an Island caring about this game. Obviously Harrisburg isn't sexy, but I still love the Cup games.
I don't understand the reasoning that the game is meaningless or not fun to attend. It's a great opportunity to see guys who may not usually play for the Union get some minutes. Also, it features an opponent that is hungrier than most Wednesday night opponents. This may be the best opportunity all season for some HCI players to get exposure to MLS coaches and scouting. Remember how well Brian Sylvestre played in the USOC against the Union a few years back? That earned him an MLS contract. The game has a great story line with two (one and a half??) former Union strikers on HCI. Remember when everyone got angry when the Union protected Fabinho over Ribeiro? For a bag of balls and a block of hotel rooms, the Union could have both players now if they really wanted. It could go 120 or to PKs which always is exciting. And, the game is guaranteed to have one unique and unprecedented weather event. I'm in!
40 team MLS 4 divisions of 10 2 conferences 38 game schedule every team in division twice. (home/away) every team in opposite division of same conference once. (alternating home/away yearly) 10 games against teams in a division of the opposite conference. (alternating divisions and home/away for a full home/away cycle taking 4 years) It's a long ways off but it will happen some day. take it to the bank.
Now that would keep things fresh. Honestly I get the limitations in travel and whatnot with the USOC. But aren't there teams in New England? Virginia? Carolinas?
I think they have to take a serious look at it because some of the MLS teams get screwed by playing other MLS teams in the first round or competitive NASL teams like the Cosmos, while teams like the Union waltz in by playing AT BEST our former USL affiliate in the first round.
those teams exist, but most didn't make it to this point... you could maybe make an argument for us to host Christos (out of Baltimore) but it does make more sense for a small team like that and/or Richmond to face DCU than the Union. North Carolina is in play and hosting Houston, I guess that's another spot you could draw from, and then toss the Islanders to a NY team, but then you have a texas team paired with the remaining NY team instead of a "bonus" NY derby. The other factor is probably that the organizers see more value in making the odds of a Cincy v. Columbus, Tampa v. Orlando, or a Cosmos v. Red Bulls/NYCFC more of a sure thing than being worried about us drawing Harrisburg a few years in a row. I agree it's a bit boring, but I get it, and I'm not convinced it's the wrong approach. 1st round match-ups year after year... it's actually not as bad I was expecting to be honest: 2017: Harrisburg 2016: Harrisburg 2015: Rochester 2014: Harrisburg 2013: Ocean City 2012: Rochester 2011: DC United (qualifier) 2010: Red Bulls (qualifier) Honestly we should be happy we got Harrisburg, had the Cosmos gone through odds are we'd have drawn either NYCFC or the Red Bulls.... that's not the sort of spice I want. I guess we're a bit unlucky that Harrisburg always seems to perform well enough to make it to the MLS round and beyond, so we perceive it as worse. Had Chattanooga beaten the Islanders last year, or Baltimore beat them in 2014 it may be a different attitude. Even playing Reading this year wouldn't be as much of a downer.
Say what?? You mean the biggest global brand in american soccer? The same global brand that lost to Reading United, an amateur side? Sure it'd be great if the draw wasn't regional and was just random like the FA Cup.......except that would have detrimental affects on the competition. It's difficult enough as it is to get most MLS teams to take the comp seriously. If they went back to the random match ups.....Those cross country trips will make MLS teams even more likely to field a B side then they already are.
It doesn't bother me that MLS teams run out B-teams. That's what early round cup matches are for, and certainly by the quarterfinals every remaining team is taking it seriously.
A work around is to have the MLS teams play on the round when they enter the tournament. This limits costs for the lower league teams. Its on the MLS teams to be competittive, and if you throw your B or C team out then you are increasing your risk for a loss. Thats on the manager. This would help increase the matchups. Maybe limit it to a close to a East/West earlier on.
Really wish I knew how a lot of you guys with kids/families do it. I had all the plans ready to go for tonight but just realized with Summer Camp pickups, etc. it's not going to happen. Add in the fact that the Blue Route on a Wednesday takes about 90 extra minutes for me, there is no way a 7:30 start works. Sunday is Father's Day, so we'll be visiting & hosting, so that's another miss. Over the last 3 seasons I think I've managed 40%-50% of the home games, if I've been lucky. With the team being garbage, I can't even break even on the tickets I don't use. Really starting to get bummed that this all points to the fact that my Season Tickets (which are the best seats in the house IMO) aren't creating any sort of value for me, and I should probably just give them up. Have fun tonight everyone! Cup matches are always a blast. I'll be doing parental things and then rushing home to try and watch the stream.
Me: Come to the game with me Pregnant wife: No, I'm OK staying home Me: I'll even pay for parking close to the stadium so you don't have to walk so far Her: Oh, OK! What time do we need to leave? Haha
I feel your pain Celt. I'm the only sports fan in the house and have been fortunate to get to about 50% of the games. Have great seats so I can usually find someone to take the games I can't make and even have a few buddies I can sell games to for face value but certainly not for a profit. Getting harder to make the effort to get there without a more exciting offering on the pitch. Hope to catch the stream after parenting duties completed but I may have to put some time in building up the matrimonial bonds that allow me to get away to more games later this season. For all those going tonight hoist cold one for those of us who have fallen.