[Crew/R] '17 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the 5th Round Bomb

Do we have a date for our away game in Chicago yet?

 

Ill start blocking off Wednesdays for the flight to Chicago.

 

I feel like we just might put in our best Open Cup performance in recent history this year, but wouldnt bet on it. We generally dont take it seriously.

And in that case, im rooting for NPSL champions, AFC Cleveland.

 

AFC Cleveland all the way this year.

 

All in on "the villages sc".

 

Losing to whenever we play Chicago should have been a poll choice.

 

We have more depth this year than last. I think we can make it a round further. Hell, we might some day some year not even have to play at Chicago.

 

I'm looking forward to Kekuta Manneh joining Crew lore, much like Freddy Garcia as he lifts us to Open Cup Glory. Perhaps our newfound depth will Christian Martinez to reprise the role of John Wilmar Perez in another stunning semifinal comeback win over (Now Sporting!) Kansas City!

Like Freddy, Kekuta's shooting star will spend only a short time in the Crew SC sky, but will leave behind the resplendent shine of a trophy.

Fast forward to 2027...The US Open Cup is appointment television. It's as big as the FA Cup. Soccer has made it. Precourt welcomes back Freddy Garcia and Kekuta Manneh for pregame ceremonies celebrating the 10th and 25th anniversary of our Open Cup Glories. Kekuta is granted leave from Real Madrid's pre-season as we are still not on the international calendar. It's a huge moment. Rumors are that this will be the final Open Cup run at MAPFRE stadium as Precourt Sports Ventures have recently sent out their 12th Stadium Interest Survey. Legacy Club Members have a meet and greet with club legends Kekuta and Freddy before the game.

The Crew has fallen on hard times. We have missed the playoffs for 5 consecutive years. There is some pressure on Berhalter, but only some. Believers keep stating, "But remember 2015, and the 2017 Open Cup. He deserves a grace period for that!" Nonetheless, excitement is at a fever pitch and MAPFRE is sold out.

In an homage to our once proud past Columbus Crew SC dons the grey jerseys worn during our 2002 Championship run. After an exceptional pregame ceremony honoring Freddy and Kekuta the whistle blows.....

90 minutes later the Crew has crashed out of the Open Cup for a record 14th time vs the Chicago Fire.

 

MLS teams enter in the 4th round this year. The round of 32 will feature 19 MLS teams and 13 survivors from the earlier rounds. So there will be 3 MLS vs MLS matchups. There's a small chance we'll face Chicago right off the bat, but I think it's unlikely since there should be a decent number of midwest teams left by the second and third rounds.

First round is played tonight and tomorrow.
Third round draw should be announced on Thursday.
Second round will be played next Wednesday.
Fourth round draw should be revealed next Thursday.

So the Crew should have an idea of who we could be playing in about 9 days. Though we might be able to guess who our most likely opponents are after the games are played next Wednesday night.

Fourth round is scheduled for June 13-14 this year.

 

I do not charge for subscription. All my insight, analysis, and predictive fanfic is available for free on Big Soccer Dot Com. I only wish to pay forward all the joy that Columbus Crew has brought me, and hope that others will as well.

 

I have no idea which round it will be, but the correct answer is Lose at Chicago

 

If Stuver and Abu play we will loose and if they don't we will win it all.

Can someone ask GB if it's important for the club to be in CCL? I Wonder if that is even a team goal.

Glory to Columbus

 

Apparently you are not familiar with the buzzsaw that is the Des Moines Menace. Actually watched them play a few US Open Cup matches, including a take down of (then) 2nd Division Minnesota a couple of years back.

 

Reading this thread, I get the impression that half of you clowns care more about qualifying for the CCL than actually winning the LHUSOC.

You don't deserve it.

 

I must be too old school... I am more interested in winning the Cup than competing in a tournament that has a knockout schedule favoring other federations in mid-season while we are just warming up...

 

Yep. This is a great tournament wish it had more exposure.

 

AFC Cleveland defeat Des Moines Menace 3-1 and move on to the second round to take on FC Cincinnati

 

Ha. Apparently I was their good luck charm.

 

Two of the matchups in the second round next week are Cincy/Cleveland and Louisville/Pittsburgh (area teams).

If US Soccer pairs those two winners together for the 3rd round, it would be crazy not to pair the Crew up with the survivor of the 4, whoever that may be.