Round 1 is in the books, folks! The thrilling round saw a stunning 99(!!) goals and 8 matches going to extra time, with 6 decided by PKs. Results of note: Everyone's favorite liquor store-backed club (Christos FC) fought valiantly against Reading United AC but came up short in PKs. FC Motown advanced to Round 2 over the New York Red Bulls U-23 thanks to two goals from Crew Fan Favorite Dilly Duka (FIST PUMP!!). Detroit City FC needed PKs to put away the Michigan Bucks and book a trip to the Queen City for a match against Fußball Club Cincinnati. Lansdowne Bhoys FC, darlings of the 2016 LHUSOC, knocked off the Brooklyn Italians. Here are the matches for Round 2: Of course, given THE CUP's history, some of these results could be flipped as teams are disqualified for random crap. Plan accordingly. Also, the USL enters the fray (not 'Fre) this round, so things is 'bout to get rhil reel, fo' realz. It's THE CUP! CATCH THE MADNESS!
Fun watching DCFC fans and FCC fans talking crap to each other on Twitter. Detroit fans are pissed because FCC is hosting the game at the college soccer stadium that holds 3000 people instead of Nippert and theres only like 30 tickets being allocated to DCFC fans when hundreds want to come.
It's probably changed but it used to be that interested teams submitted a bid for the right to host the game. USSF used to simply take the higher bid for each matchup but now I think they flip a coin among interested parties. Of course the Crew haven't bid for a home match in Columbus in several years. But playing at Nippert was a big money maker last year and had a good atmosphere for the home team. Playing in the smaller venue doesn't make sense unless Nipper isn't available on the game date for some other reason.
Conspiracy theory alert!! I usually don't take part in these, but it just makes too much damn sense. Garber told FCC to do it and continue to in the event that FCC plays Cbus again this year. This would prevent massive amounts of Cbus fans traveling down. Honestly though, game won't be on TV, and no media will cover it, so who would give a fvck? Precourt and Garber, that's who.
We can be pretty sure the Crew won't host a rematch with FCC. My brother lives in Cincinnati and it turns out is an FCC season ticket holder. I didn't know he even liked soccer but he's also a Reds and Bengals season ticket holder so maybe he needs relief from them.
Generally speaking, hosts for each round are randomly selected (via coin flip), though I believe a team can decline to host. Before the tournament, each team submits two venues to use during the competition, as well as their preferred venue for each round. I don't know how flexible USSF is with changing venues after all the paperwork has been submitted. On to the Fußball Club: They chose Gettler Stadium because they didn't get a strong response from season ticket holders when they opened ticket sales for the Second Round. At least, that's the justification I saw from the FCC folks. Of course, the rough lads from Detroit think it's all a ploy to ice out their fans.
100% the coin flip would go to Columbus this year. hell is real and all. A shame they are playing Detroit in gettler stadium, it was sold out before I could get tickets. They had even been running tv spots pumping up the open cup:
Psst... did you hear? THE MOTHER-LOVIN' LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP IS BACK! TONIGHT! EXCLAMATION! You read that right, my lovelies. Get ready to sink your teeth into 24 delicious matches as THE CUP carries on into the Second Round. Need match previews and stream links? Thecup.us gots yous, my dawg. Have a hankerin' to see all the Second Round pairings? Child, just check the USSF Match Center. Want a 4.5-star recipe for manicotti? I did not expect that, but Anny on allrecipes.com gots the sauce! The fun starts at 7:00, so don't make a terrible mistake and tell your wife that you'll go out for drinks and coffee tonight instead of staying home and watching, like, 10 soccer matches. GET IN ON THE CUP, NERDS!
The USOC loves them their derbies. Pennsylvania, Florida, Miami, Nashville, Colorado, Arizona, Bay Area Derbies.
UPDATE: My wife has invited five of her sisters to join us for drinks. Am I correct in thinking this action demonstrates a clear, deliberate, and willing breach of the date night protocol and, as such, I am no longer obligated to attend?
You have 4 daughters, a wife and at least 5 sisters-in-law? I would think at this point that any inclusion of any female in any activity you have planned together would be in violation.
What I'm hearing is that I've been wronged. This should be all I need to convince my wife. ...to at least let me check scores on my phone (once or twice) while we have a lovely evening out. Together. With her siblings. And I'll love every second of it and not bring up the Crew.