The 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals will air on ESPN2. The LA Galaxy welcome FC Dallas in the second Semifinal on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. PT. The teams booked their Semifinal places on Wednesday, July 20. The LA Galaxy tallied three goals in the final 13 minutes in a 4-2 comeback defeat of Seattle Sounders FC. All four clubs that remain are previous winners of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but none have appeared in the tournament Final since 2011 when the Chicago Fire fell 2-0 to Seattle Sounders FC. Of the four remaining teams, the New England Revolution last won the competition in 2007, preceded by four-time winners Chicago Fire in 2006 and two-time champions LA Galaxy in 2005. FC Dallas looks for its first tournament title since lifting the trophy in 1997. The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, recognized as U.S. Soccer's national championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The tournament has crowned a champion annually since 1914. In 1999, the competition was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt. LETS GO Gs!!!
Two wins to lift a trophy we haven't won since 2005. I hope Bruce is un-Bruce like and fields a strong team. Dallas had to play a mix of players in their CCL game tonight, because they had to push late for the win. But all their starters got time on the field. They have a week to prepare though. I would rather see a mix of players this weekend for us, to save some legs for Wednesday. Let's roll the dice this weekend, and kick ass in the Open Cup Semi's! !! Go Galaxy
It's not great for us that Dallas has a bye week this weekend. Which means the NYRB game is huge for us to gain ground on Dallas in league points. Plus the game the following weekend is huge too, because we can possibly leapfrog Colorado in the standings with three points. That being said, I really want to win this game. I think Lletget has earned the right to start in this match. It seems he works well with Zardes and Gio best. Also Rogers might be available too this match; and Lletget and Rogers always play well together on the same side. Basically, rest Keane, Gerrard, Cole, AJDLG, Boateng, Rowe and Larentowicz from the NYRB game, and start everyone else. Van Damme and Steres need to suck it up, because under no circumstances can we start Leonardo in any game over this weeks three game stretch. Open Cup lineup: ---------------Zardes------------- Magee--------GDS-------Lletget ----------NDJ--Husidic---------- Romney--JVD--Steres--Rogers ----------------Diop---------------
I don't expect Keane or Gerrard to be in the 18. Hopefully Gyasi is good to start. I'd be OK with this: ------------Gordon------------ Zardes--Magee/Gio--Lletget -----DeJong-----Husidic----- Cole----JVD---Steres----AJ ------------Rowe-------------- I'd much rather see AJ at CB and Rogers able to go at RB again but, Robbie is probably another week away from coming back. I also don't mind giving Steres a chance to redeem himself after last night. Gotta start Rowe over Diop. Diop on the bench though. Not sure if Gio could go 90 either. Bench: Gio/Magee, Ema, Larry, Romney, Diop, Jose, Garcia/Leo/BJ IV/Sorto... probably be Leo knowing Bruce
After watching last nights game, I think Magee gets the start Wednesday. He didn't play a ton of minutes on Sunday but he scored. Bruce seems to reward goal scorers this season (or he's just looking to ride a hot hand). I think Gio probably is included in the 18 and will be used a super-sub. I also feel that Bruce will jump at the chance to play Zardes at the CF since he won't have to slot, automatic starter, Keane in that position. As for Rowe, this is his first season as the league starter. He needs to focus on preparing for Colorado. Even if that means studying their potential PK takers. I have a feeling the refs in the next league match will be extra critical of anything that goes on the box. Also Diop sat out the T2 match on Saturday. My guess it's because they were keeping him fresh for Wednesday. This match could move into penalties, there's a need to prepare for that facet. ---------------Zardes------------- Boateng------Magee-----Lletget ------Larentowicz-Husidic------ Romney--JVD--Steres--AJDLG ----------------Diop--------------- Bench: Gio, NJD, Garcia, Leo, Gordon, Lassiter, Kennedy
Is anyone actually optimistic about this match? After the last couple of performances, even with the late heroics, I still see FCD as very heavy favorites.
Depends on who Bruce trots out there. If he puts close to a first team out there we should be favorites just because we are playing at home. But if we start a lot of our 2nd teamers then I don't like our chances.
Btw I think we should start our best 11. I know its a Sun, Wed, Sat schedule but all the games are at home - no traveling involved. If we care at all about the Open Cup I just don't see why we need to rest a bunch of players for a Saturday home game against COL.
This game--followed by the final--is probably make or break for CCL qualification for next year. With our lack of offense and somewhat error prone defense, winning the Western Conf or MLS Cup doesn't seem very realistic. Winning this one game would give us a great chance. Really hope we do everything possible.
I see your point with Diop being rested. Thats what I kinda felt with Gordon. He came out at halftime early last night to warm up and I thought for sure he'd come in the second half. When he didn't, I thought that maybe Bruce was saving him for Wednesday. Hell if I know. I think Diop starting would be telling. I don't have much hope anyway.
Does Castillo even still play for FCD right now or what? http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/08/01/fabian-castillo-fc-dallas-trabzonspor-transfer-saga
I certainly agree with your conclusion, but the bolded statement isn’t borne out by the numbers. LA currently has the third best defense in the league behind only Colorado and is tied for 4th in goals-for. That goals-for number is heavily weighted by the first quarter of the season, but still the relatively uninspiring run of games in the middle third of the season is I think casting an overly dark shadow over what is a pretty solid season thus far. Early season form suggests this current run isn’t intrinsic to this Galaxy squad and if history is any guide LA will go on a pretty solid run any day now followed by another malaise. The severity of the next wane in form will dictate how well the playoffs go. That said the team is in one of its customary lulls where Dallas, ignoring the result in Seattle, is humming along quite nicely. They’ll be missing Castillo and have more than a week’s rest. We’ll be at home and on paper have the better team and as much as we’re bemoaning Sunday night’s performance, the common complaint over the last few weeks has been LA’s inability to create chances; they did on Sunday, the finishing just wasn’t there this time around. I am dubious about Wednesday, but Eeyore is my soccer spirit animal; all is lost, until the final whistle.
With Gyasi back especially, I expect to win. This isn't a reg season match; FCD won't play for the point, which is how most squads have been able to stymie us at home.
I don't know the rosters completely, but it looks like NE and Chicago are using mostly first-XI players (other than Goalkeepers), with a couple starters on the bench to start.
If the LA Galaxy twitter pics of players entering tonight is any indication, then Cole, Romney, Husidic, AJ, Robbie Rogers, and Kennedy are in the 18 Would be great if Rogers were able to play, although he's more likely to be on the bench if anything.