US Open Cup (RSL's first match)

[SoccerPrime]

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=186555&itype=113&iCategoryID=0
Third Round Pairings Announced for 2005 U.S. Open Cup

CHICAGO (Monday, June 19, 2005) – U.S. Soccer announced the third round pairings for the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup today. Four teams from the United Soccer Leagues First Division and four from Major League Soccer will play the winners of the June 29 second round games.

The third round opens with one match on Tuesday, July 12 with the balance of the matches scheduled for Wednesday, July 13. A full schedule is listed below.

MLS expansion teams Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA will enter the U.S. Open Cup for the first time on July 13, with RSL facing either the Chicago Fire Premier of the PDL or the Minnesota Thunder of USL1. Chivas USA will travel to face either the El Paso Patriots of the PDL or the Charlotte Eagles of USL2. FC Dallas and the Chicago Fire of MLS will also enter the tournament in the third round as the two teams to miss the playoffs last season. The eight remaining MLS teams enter the tournament in the fourth round on August 3.

[SoccerPrime]

RSL's Open Cup game will be away:

July 13
Real Salt Lake at Minnesota Thunder
James Griffin Stadium; St. Paul, Minn.
7 CT
or
Real Salt Lake at Chicago Fire Premier
Illinois Benedictine College; Lisle, Ill.
8 CT

[Jim Umber]

Not directly related, but I thought I point it out as a matter of interest (I'm chuckling under my breath as I copy this).

The shot of the day came off the foot of Orange County Blue Stars (PDL) defender Tyson Wahl, who struck a 35-yard ball that chipped the goalkeeper to find the back of the net. Unfortunately this was a back pass that resulted in a long own goal as the team from the OC fell to the El Paso Patriots (PDL) 3-1.

It sounded very impressive until I got to the "Unfortunately...", then I just about fell out of my chair laughing.

[Old Ska]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

RSL's Open Cup game will be away:

July 13
Real Salt Lake at Minnesota Thunder
James Griffin Stadium; St. Paul, Minn.
7 CT
or
Real Salt Lake at Chicago Fire Premier
Illinois Benedictine College; Lisle, Ill.
8 CT

Yeah, I saw that yesterday too. The good thing about where I live is that I can easily go to either venue.

Honestly, Thunder and CFP are two of the toughest teams in there. An RSL win would not be insignificant. I am optimistic.

[SoccerPrime]

I agree. Thunder and Fire Priemire are consistent performers in their leagues.
Plus it will be an away game, which are always tough for RSL.

[Old Ska]

The July 9 to July 16 stretch is gonna be a hard one for the lads...3 away games in 8 days.