Why or why doesn't the US Soccer Federation wake up and realize that in order to make the cup mean something they need to treat is an important event. Here we are on May 31, and no one knows who is playing who, when, where, or whatever. This ain't rocket science. If I want to go to a game, I need to know in advance to arrange travel, etc.. Please wake up and publicize what could be a great tournament.
I've heard this for so long, but I don't really believe it. Do you? Most major Euro leagues don't take their cups seriously anymore until very late in the tourney. Domestic cups have waned in importance almost everywhere. Money loser for all, and no amount of promo is going to change that any time soon IMO. The USSF is not in a position to pump a ton of money into this and wait/hope people get it. Contrary to popular belief they are not rich and have a ton of other teams (woman inc) and projects to fund. The mentality isn't here for this either. Remember, BS is about 1/10 of 1% (if that) of the hardcore fanbase in the US. In general...yawn.
Don't forget that the coin flip between Portland Timbers U-23's & Kitsap Pumas will now be their PDL League match this coming Friday to see who enters that last spot in the PDL West. http://thecup.us/historic-“fifth-game”-tiebreaker-to-decide-northwest-pdl-us-open-cup-berth/
First off: Every professional team should be included in this tourney, with an additional round added to bring them all into the fold. Second: The draw is now out, and while the USSF tried to group teams geographically, they matched up amateur teams from Philly and texas with Rochester, Charleston, and Orlando. As away teams. On a Tuesday night. With only two weeks to plan. So, teams that have been in qualifying since October will show up with 2/3 of their normal squads, hoping to win/compete in these games. Good idea. And god forbid they win one of their games, they then will have to wait two days to find out whether they have travel 4 days later for the 2nd round game. Third: MOVE ALL THE EARLY ROUND GAMES TO SATURDAYS!
That's not exactly true. The June 14 date for the first round (plus subsequent dates) was announced months ago. Just looked it up. The dates were announced on February 17, giving teams about 4 months to plan. The potential second round schedule is usually announced before the first round takes place. It might be announced today, it might be announced next week, but it'll be before the first round games are played. That's the way US Soccer always does it. Brilliant idea. No one ever thought of playing soccer on Saturdays before. Except for all the leagues and teams that are already playing on the weekend.
then they adjust, or USSF makes the leagues respect those dates and keep them open, just as the FA Cup has its own designated weekends.
I agree as well and it has been discussed so many times. If this can happen, this means getting rid of the playoffs and have the season end before or just after the Thanksgiving weekend. That way you can respect the International Calendar more and move US Open Cup games to the weekend as well.
US Open Cup Well, all 16 US-based clubs. After all, it is the US Open Cup. Canadian teams play their own tournament for the CL qualifier. If 16 MLS clubs entered at, say, the third round, and played away to regional qualifiers, that would give an attendance boost to the lower level clubs & encourage some giant killing. It's likely that >75% of the MLS clubs would advance; they could then schedule all games at MLS stadiums. This can't involve MLS clubs. There are not enough Saturdays during the season for even the regular league schedule. If the lower-level clubs want this, that's their decision, but MLS must play USOC mid-week. Argentina is about to inaugurate a cup competition: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=reu-latamargentinacup_tv "The Argentina Cup ... will be played by the seven highest divisions ..., from the first to the provincial Argentino B, in single-tie matches." That would be 154 teams: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_football_league_system http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_football_clubs_in_Argentina
Re: US Open Cup For the record... our group has spent the last 16 months getting ready for this USOC, we would have happily rode a bus to Boston if that is what it took to get to the first round. As far as Tuesday's are concerned, we are ok with it. Here's to the hope that the Battery play the reserves on Tuesday night against our "rec" team from Texas.
Re: US Open Cup the battery take it seriously. speaking with the players last week, they didn't know alot about the team but enough to know that the club wants to advance far in the tourney. with the team having a weekend off, I think Auggie will give most the starters are run out but might keep some on the bench until the second half. But it will be a good way for the team to have some quality minutes before Charleston's match on Friday night.
Re: US Open Cup The Battery are a class org across the board...from the facilities, the fans, and all the way up to the club president. We lost the game, but won a ton of respect, the Battery have a friend for life in Regals FC. Now go win the Cup.