Well, it looks like we'll see expanded spots in the Open Cup field for the USASA and PDL clubs this year. The Florida State Soccer Association website says that BOTH the winner and the runner up of the USASA Region III qualifiers will advance to the Cup. http://www.fssa.org/nationalcup/NCdetailsfor2004.htm I'm sure this will be the case for the other regions as well. Will this mean more PDL clubs will get spots as well? I'm assuming so, since the USASA teams have traditionally played PDL clubs in the first round. 8 each from USASA & PDL, plus 8 from the A-League and 10 from MLS puts the number at 34, the same as last year. It will be interesting to see how many of the PSL teams are included.
Well so far it reads about two clubs from Region III of the USASA. But if there will be more clubs joining in from the lower levels then this is great news as more spots are going to be created to add in more sides to enter the USOC. Once MLS goes to 20 then the USL leagues from the A-League all the way down to the PDL should start to even out and we can have a true FA Cup tourney. Still we have a long way to go.
Actually, I think they almost have no choice but to include more PDL teams, when you consider that there are more PDL clubs then MLS, A-League and PDL combined right now. As far as the USASA goes, I see that as a way to try and get more clubs to enter qualifying. Region III is allowing two teams from each state into their regional qualifying, so I'm curious to see if thats the case for other regions. I know Region III has had a more difficult tiem getting clubs to participate in recent years, so perhaps the two per state qualifying is just for them. Hopefully US Soccer will be announcing the format soon, I'm guessing that will be when the PDL and PSL are finalized and announced by the USL. Maryland First Round Jerry D's 1-0 Bertha FC Baltimore Colts FC 4-1 Cantron FC Semifinals - Feb. 11 Baltimore Bays Christos v. Baltimore Colts FC Jerry D's v. Allied SC
It's confirmed, The PDL will get 8 teams in the Open Cup this year, Cape Cod as defending champs, 2 each from the Easter, Central and Southern conferences, and one from the West
That's great news Chn71. But is there a link to it? Not saying I don't believe you, but where please.
Never mind I found it. http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/67479.html Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Qualification The PDL will send eight representatives to the 2004 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The defending champion Cape Cod Crusaders receive an automatic berth in the tournament with the remaining seven entrants to be determined from four groups after four qualification matches. The Central, Eastern and Southern Conferences will send the top two clubs from their respective groups with the Western Conference sending one. The format of the tournament for 2004 is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
So Snake Eyes. Glad to see you back for 2004. Any more predictions for your Menace? Or are you gonna hold off from your mistakes last year? Other than that. 2/3rd of USL Qualifying are done. Now all we need is the PSL to announce their schedule and we are all set.
There WILL be an MLS team in Des Moines this year... and I am not talking about the game versus KC that's already scheduled.
PSL schedule is out today http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/67537.html They will get 6 teams in, Wilmington as champs, and 5 top qualifiers. So that brings the total to 40, so it will be interesting to see how the cup will be set up this year. I'm working on getting the PSL stuff up on the website right now..... http:lhusoc.tripoc.com
Thanks for the infor Chn71. Now all we have to do is wait on US Soccer to create the tournament schedule. From Round 1 all the way to the Finals. I can't wait.
Is there any news about any of the USASA state league matches of Qualifiers for the Regional tournaments Chn71? So far no news or announcement of how the 2004 USOC is going to be set up by US Soccer.
Perhaps once the MLS schedule is released the fed will announce all the USOC dates. Looking forward to following the Cup again this year with all on the USOC boards.
So far it's all quiet on the USASA front, the next scheduled matches I have dug up are on Feb. 11 for Maryland, although I've found registration deadlines for a few states, which I have on the USASA section of my website. We'll should see the USASA action pick up in March.
Woo- hooo! I'm *there*! ...If that doesn't motivate some team from Texas North to enter the competition this year, *nothing* will.
http://www.usasa.com/calendar.asp 2004 Events May 28-31, 2004 Dallas, TX USASA Region III National Cups - Regionals June 4-6, 2004 Albuquerque, NM Region IV National Cups Regionals June 18-20, 2004 Milwaukee, WI USASA Region II National Cups - Regionals (looking for Region I schedule) Aug 6-8, 2004 Orlando, FL USASA National Cup Finals
Thanks for the information man. Need to soak this all in till Feb 18th and MLS 2004 starts. OOOOOO I Can't wait for the US Open Cup Tourney to start.
About a month ago, HalaMadrid posted this info in another thread. 2004 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup format: First Round (16) 8 USASA 8 Premier Development League Second Round (16) 8 First Round winners 5 Premier Soccer League 3 A-League Third Round (16) 8 Second Round winners 6 A-League 2 MLS (Dallas and LA or Columbus) Fourth Round (16) 8 Third Round winners 8 MLS Quarterfinals (8) Semifinals (4) Final (2)
From the Florida site: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Rounds of Play Region 3 will send two teams from our Open Cup competition to participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup following our Regional tournament in May. Both teams that participate in the Region 3 Open Cup final will go on to play in the US Open Cup. The two Region 3 finalists will play against regional PDL teams on June 8, 2004. Any team that enters the Region 3 Open Cup in 2004 must be prepared to begin play in the US Open Cup on June 8, 2004 should they be a finalist at the regional tournament.
Monster Said 2004 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup format: First Round (16) 8 USASA 8 Premier Development League Second Round (16) 8 First Round winners 5 Premier Soccer League 3 A-League Third Round (16) 8 Second Round winners 6 A-League 2 MLS (Dallas and LA or Columbus) Fourth Round (16) 8 Third Round winners 8 MLS Quarterfinals (8) Semifinals (4) Final (2) -------------------------------------------------- Monster. Now I know what's wrong. The Pro Select League has 6 clubs. Wilmington Hammerheads has the automatic bid due to winning the PSL title. 5 others who will advance from qualifying will join Wilmington. So it should read like this. 2004 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup format: First Round (16) 8 USASA 8 Premier Development League Second Round (16) 8 First Round winners 6 Premier Soccer League 2 A-League Third Round (16) 8 Second Round winners 6 A-League 2 MLS (Dallas and LA or Columbus) Fourth Round (16) 8 Third Round winners 8 MLS Quarterfinals (8) Semifinals (4) Final (2) No worries man. Just a little error. Easily fixed.
I took it right from Hala, who posted it before the A League format was announced. It could have changed in that meantime. But like you said, no big deal.
From the newly released Kansas City Wizards schedule: Tuesday July 20 US Open Cup – Round of 16* Wednesday Aug. 4 US Open Cup Quarterfinals Wednesday Aug. 25 US Open Cup Semifinals Wednesday Sept. 22 US Open Cup Final