So place yer bets gentleman. This is where the USOC really gets interesting. Here's sum odds to start,and feel free to add and modify . New England vs. Harrisburg Favorites New England at 1-3 Odds for Upset 3-1 Notes: This is one fixture I believe has the "potential" to be a close contest, due to NE's finiceness and Harrisburgs aparent ability to see a long and difficult match through. I was almost tempted to start things off with NE at 1-2 or possible "Even Money" but in the end NE is still a perenial MLS playoff contender, and they have had plenty of USOC success in the past, soo they "should" be able to see Harrisburg home after a slow start out of the gate. DC Vs. Ocean City Barons Favorite DC at 5-2 Odds for Upset 10-1 Notes: I mean come on do I even have to explain my starting odds. However, considering the fiestyness of the OCBs thus far, I will also post a side bet. DC by 3 or fewer goals 2-1 Chicago vs. Wilmington Favorite Chicago at 3-2 Chance of Upset 4-1 Notes: Chicago is not going to roll Wilmington right off the bat,like the OCBs they had to pull an upset to get this far soo they've obviously got spunk,but in the end the bhoys from Chitown should have enough depth, and enough USOC experience as a club, to see them through to the next round. Chivas vs. Charleston Favorite Chivas at 1-1 Chance of Upset 2-1 Notes: Charleston's current league form, their awesome run last year,their performance against DC in last seasons final, Chivas's recent lapse in league form, and their rotten USOC track record to date, are still not enough to make me pick the Battery as favorites. Bottom line the Chivas USA club of 09 is a whole different cabra from any other CHivas USA club and should Preki be able to kick them back into the gear they started the MLS season with, they may very well make it to the final. Columbus vs. Rochester. Favorite Columbus at 3-2 Chance of Upset 4-1 Notes: Columbus has an axe, albight an old rusty axe, to grind with the Rhinos (the Rhinos beat them en-route to their cup victory) and they have begun to return to form in league play, and Rochester barely beat Pittsburgh and Cleveland to make it this far. Bottom line it will take a special kind of magic, from a club that has been lacking in special magic for some time, for the Crew to be ousted by the Rhinos a second time. Nevertheless, Rochester will more than likely have enough discipline to at least make it an interesting match for the first 75 mins or so. Kansas City vs. Minnesota Favorite Kansas City 5-2 Chance of upset 6-1 Notes: I honestly don't know a whole lot about these two clubs, but I do know that even though they called down the boom against their first two opponents the Thunder will not find KC soo easy and the Wiz should have no trouble in besting the USL-1 cellar club. Austin vs. Houston Favorite Houston 5-2 Chance of Upset 8-1 Notes: Houston should win, in recent matches they have been as red hot as Austin has been blue cold. The only way an upset occurse here is if the Aztex use the crappiness of their home pitch to their fullest advantage, which they have done in matches past after a fashion. Portland vs. Seattle Favorite Even money either way Chance of Upset No favorite soo no chance of Upset Notes: I can't even begin to describe how I am certain this will be not only the best match of USOC 2009, to date, but also the best atmopshere at a USOC match to date.
People in Austin are excited about playing Houston in a meaningful match for the first time so the crowd should be good, but it will probably be pretty evenly split between Austin and Houston.
Portland vs. Seattle Notes: I can't even begin to describe how I am certain this will be not only the best match of USOC 2009, to date, but also the best atmopshere at a USOC match to date.[/QUOTE] You can say that again!! Seattle used to thrive on beating MLS teams when in the USL. Now the shoe is on the other foot with Portland wanting to do the same. Add the rivalry factor, (Portland loves to hate anything Seattle, Seattle gives Portland little respect) and this is THE MATCH that Timber and Sounder fans have been wanting - a meaningful game with bragging rights on the line for at least one year. BTW it was great to see the pic of Sigi and other Sounders in the crowd at Bremerton on June 9 when the Timbers beat the Kitsap Pumas in USOC play.
That being said, what group of "Podunk" fans have a legitimate chance at seeing an upset from their club, lets see sum clubs and sum odds people I got a book ta keep .
Considering the Sounders have a tight schedule over the next few weeks I can see the cinders pulling off an upset. But I don't see it happening.. the Sounders are showing their bench depth. My orig comment still stands...
Timbers Schedule around that match June 28th vs. Montreal July 1st vs. Seattle July 2nd vs. Bayern Munchen Amateur July 4th @ Minnesota 4 matches in 7 days.
That's a relief. At least now we know that Portland will be saving their starters for the big Bayern Amateur match.
I wouldn't be surprised if Rochester beats the Crew. Schelotto, Hejduk, and Padula didn't make the trip. Marshall and Rogers are out, and Carroll is playing with his separated shoulder in a harness. And we are short a player because of the Noonan trade. We have a huge game with DC at home on the week-end, with a chance to move into first, and then another big game @Chicago the week after. I couldn't think of a worse time (for any of the three teams) to have two USOC games. It will be as close to an all reserve team as we can manage.