I did not see this elsewhere so I thought I would start up this year's thread... 2013 USOC changes - Larger pool of prize money - No more 'secret/sealed bid' hosting process at all, now coin flip - No more buying home field rights from winner of the flip Schedule from TheCup.Us site: Play-In Round - Date: May 7 - Number of Games: 2 – Teams: 2 NPSL vs 1 Specialty Sports & 1 US Club Soccer First Round - Date: May 14 - Number of Games: 18 – Teams: Play-In Round winners plus USASA, NPSL, PDL entries and 4 USL Pro teams (Dayton Dutch Lions, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Phoenix FC Wolves and VSI Tampa Bay FC). Second Round – Date: May 21 - Number of Games: 16 – Teams: First Round winners join remaining 8 USL Pro and 6 NASL teams. Third Round - Date: May 28 - Number of Games: 16 – Teams: 16 Second Round winners are paired against 16 MLS sides. Fourth Round – Date: June 12 Quarterfinals – Date: June 26 Semifinals – Date: Aug. 7 or 21 Final – Date: Oct. 1 or 2
We've got a Sunday road match on May 26. On the plus side, we've got a pretty decent crop of reserves yet again. With that May 26 match, there's pretty much 0% chance of Warzycha trotting out a lineup half full of regular starters who'll only put out 50% effort for the USOC match. I'd really like to win some USOC games this year.
Our team last year: Lampson Perry-Gehrig-James-Francis Birchall-Grossman-George-Meram Finlay-Vargas Our likely team this year: Lampson Barson-Gehrig-Beckie-Wahl Finlay-George-Tchani-Speas/Meram Finley-Schoenfeld/Meram/Speas We look stronger at every position where there was a change. I liked Birchall, but he was better in the middle.
It's up to the coaches to take it seriously. If we run out a B or C team against a second division team, and those players take it seriously, then we're probably hosed, just like last year. We need to run out an A- team at worst, run the score up, and send a statement.
Our reserves are more than capable of beating a USL side. Compared to last year, we actually have capable attacking players.
Not that I dont think this group has some talent but all of them have question marks about whether they can be pro's at the MLS level (granted if they didn't they would be playing with the A team)
Hoping for a home match on the 28th. Will be coming back up to Cleveland from the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and would like to be able to stop by Crew Stadium and see a third round cup tie.
Actually, since we have a road game at NY on the 26th, I wouldn't mind an away USOC match on the 28th in some place like Pennsylvania or New Jersey. It could be a cool 2-game road trip.
Forgot about Danny. He'd probably take George's spot in the middle. Anor may be the LB, as well, depending on his recovery.
Every year I think that this is the cup we should look to win. the MLS schedule is not too arduous, we do not have any other entanglements, and I am sure it gets more prestige than the reserve league trophy, or dare I say it, the mickey mouse cup.
Our reserves should be able to beat the Dayton Lions. It should be a good match, but it should result in a win for us.
We tried. Problem is, the road always goes through Seattle, and we know how Bob has a hard time beating Sigi.
It will be interesting to see what Robert does, but I certainly think we have enough quality for the reserves to win. What I'd do: ------------Lampson--------- Barson--Beckie--DOR--Anor --------Trapp---Tchani------- Finlay--------------------Speas -------Meram----Finley------- Bench: Andy G; Gehrig, Hyland; George, Sloan; Oduro, Schoenfeld.
I don't know if cleazer was kidding or not, but it's true. The kid was in the reserve starting lineup in Orlando - no way he doesn't make the reserve 18 in those matches. That isn't such a bad thing, tho. He did score one or two goals in the preseason.
Wonder when camp is for the U-20's as they start play in Turkey June 21st. He may be gone for our first USOC game at training camp.
If we haven't learned by now, we ought to include a couple of regular MLS starters in our LHUSOC lineup. We really can't rely on our reserve team to beat PDL sides. I'd rather win the LHUSOC and finish lower in the MLS standings than go out in the first round of the LHUSOC and be the closest team to almost make the playoffs.