US Open Cup Semifinal Pairings Announced

Come on you REVS!!!!!!!!

 

Awesome!

I haven't been to that place since I saw the CT Wolves take down the Mutiny in the Open Cup.

 

You're gonna love this:

Tonight (August 1st) is the 10 year anniversary of the Revolution's 4-3 (overtime) loss to the Long Island Rough Riders in the 3rd round of the U.S. Open Cup. It was Jeff Causey's first game in goal I believe, Thomas Rongen watched the match from a small booth in the scoreboard, the Revolution goal-scorers being John Kerr, Darren Sawatsky, and Joe-Max Moore. The Revs were up 2-0 in the match, but lost in OT on a goal by eventual ex-Rev Dahir Mohammed in the 108th minute.

It was a crushing, embarassing defeat...

... and the venue: Veteran's Stadium in New Britain.

I was there, and man did the result suck.

The Magpie

 

I guess Rentschler was booked for the night?

Here are directions...

From I-91 North or South:

* Take I-91 to Hartford
* Take I-84 West
* Continue on 84 West
* Take Exit 39A for Route 9 South
* Take Exit 25 for Ellis Street
* Turn left at the light onto Ellis Street
* At the next light, turn left onto South Main Street
* The park is about one mile on the right

From I-84 East or West:

* Take Exit 39A for Route 9 South
* Take Exit 25 for Ellis Street
* Turn left at the light onto Ellis Street
* At the next light, turn left onto South Main Street
* The park is about one mile on the right

It is a big high school stadium. Running track around the field.

 

NO F*ckin way! September 5th? my classes start on the 6th! New Britain is only line an hour from me. There must be a way to get to this game...

RRREV IT UP

 

Fookin A! My classes start the 4th! damnit! I guess i'll be making my first road trip of the year earlier than planned

 

Looking forward to our teams meeting if both of us win.

(jinx alert)

 

Really sorry if this was posted somewhere before but a quick update about the game on 8/8.


Revs to Host Open Cup Quarters at Gillette Stadium
The Revs will welcome USL-2 side Harrisburg City Islanders to Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 8
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution will host the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division (USL-2) in the quarterfinal round of the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Revs will welcome the City Islanders to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Wednesday, Aug. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Please note that this is a change of venue and date from what was previously released and promoted by U.S. Open Cup organizers.
The Revs advanced to the quarterfinal round behind a 4-2 victory over the USL-1 side Rochester Rhinos on Tuesday, July 10, at PAETEC Park in Rochester, N.Y. Tied at 2-2 in the final minute of regulation, Taylor Twellman scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute for the Revolution, before captain Steve Ralston added a penalty kick in stoppage time.
Harrisburg earned its place in the quarterfinals by defeating MLS power D.C. United, 1-0, on Wednesday, July 11, in Landisville, Pa. With the victory, the City Islanders earned their first-ever victory over an MLS team.
When the club faces Harrisburg on Aug. 8, the Revolution will make its second straight appearance in the Open Cup quarterfinals, and its fourth appearance overall.
Tickets information is available by calling 1-877-GET-REVS. Tickets will be $10 each and $7 for Center Circle season-ticket members holders.

 

From boston I90 to 84west is much quicker than 91 to 84, just an FYI

 

An odd choice for a Revs home game, considering New Britain is clearly Hartford FC territory.

 

Odd choice indeed... but you know, there just aren't any small soccer stadiums in MA. And, they know that we'd all just LOVE to drive to a game held at a faraway place on a weeknight.

 

I'd love to go, but the Revs have already put me in enough financial strain I really need to get my license...

 

I've also heard that New Britain is home to many Kickers supporters. Apparently there is a large ethnic Virginian community there.

 

OK, it's August. Revs are in the mix for the Supporters' Shield and leading their division with a game in hand. None of their critical players are out. Great win against KC last night. BUT -- They have three league games at home in ten days. It's the hottest time of the year. Right in the middle of the stretch they have the Open Cup q-final. Who plays? Who rests against Harrisburg? I'm thinking we're OK in the back though I might give Marshall Leonard a shot at left back. Midfield -- It would be good to give Shalrie and Ralston a breather. Dorman as well. I don't want to see Flood and Thompson, but we could. Up top, it would be good to rest Noonan and TnT. It would be great to see Christman and speed, but I haven't heard that anyone is pushing for minutes at forward. Bottom line -- If we play all our starters and we fade later in the season, this is a stretch that we can blame. If we sit anyone, folks will be down on the coaches for not taking the open cup seriously. Thoughts?

 

I live in New Britain.

But I'll be on vacation that week.

 

Good points. I would say go with a semi-reserve lineup. Up top, start Cristman and Noonan, giving Twelly a rest. If we are up a few goals, pull Noonan early in the second half.

In midfield you can give a run-out to Thomson and Flood, but keep Joseph and Laro in for at least the first half. Rally gets the night off. It also might be a good game to let Leonard or Byrne go 90 ont he left.

In the back, John has not been playing a lot lately, so no need to worry about burning him out.Or have him and Riley each play a half. Parky is solid in the back, and especially if we have a backup keeper, we'll need Parkhurst to keep things calm.

This is a game that the reserve players should be able to thrive in. Harrisburg are a 3rd division team, so it's a bit different from being out of their element against some of the better MLS players.

Bottom line: Don't burn anyone out, don't get injured, and most of all, win this game. We're in good shape for all three trophies this year, but this one seems to have the easiest path. This one is for the taking, so let's grab it!

 

I think Flood, Christman, Riley and Thompson are pretty sure things to start. I also think we'll get to see Knighton in net - Reis hasn't missed a game all season.

Byrne and Helton maybe. Probably Leonard.

 

The nice thing about the Open Cup is that you get a lot more substitutions. I see the Revs going at them strong and then when (if) they get a good lead sub in players that can hold on to win. I don't see them taking this one for granted. Both our coaches have seen to many Cup upsets to fall into that trap.

 

Unfortunately, while Nicol does indeed have experience in similar cups, he has also been clear that only MLS Cup truly matters. Still, my hopes are buoyed by the fact that the Revs fielded a strong team in Rochester and they can't help but get excited about the potentially easy path to this final.

I hope that Reis, Parky, Heaps, John, Joseph and Laro start. Beyond that Cristman could use the time to stay sharp so he should start and that could be enough offense for the night with a first team defense in the back. The extra sub helps to either bring in firepower or rest someone for the league match on the weekend. The bottom line is to take this game serious enough to win it. The Revs need to score early and dominate, not struggle to get by in the end.

 

It is true that Harrisburg is a third division team, but keep in mind that they are a third division team that beat DCU...