RSL to make U.S. Open Cup debut July 13

Jim Umber · 06-24-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabble-rabble

Wasn't it just a few years ago that FC Dallas lost to a PDL team? (Possibly from El Paso)

An back in the late 90s an A-League team (Rochester I believe) won the whole tournament.

Those lower division teams have nothing to lose and tend to play their hearts out in these matches.

Plus, the difference in level of play is just not THAT much. Don't get me wrong. There is a definite difference. But an MLS team having an off day, and an A-league team having a good day, can easily cause an upset. And PDL is a total wild-card. Some teams are really bad, and other teams are really good, and many of them are really inconsistent. There just aren't any "gimme's" in the Open Cup.

Stucki · 06-24-2005, 06:08 PM

If it helps, think FA Cup. If it doesn't, pretend I didn't just post.

prk166 · 06-25-2005, 04:16 PM

If the games in MN, I'm going. We should know after this wednesday. If so, I have a feeeling I'll be taking some special requests for match memorbilia.

SoccerPrime · 06-30-2005, 07:57 AM

The winner is....Minnesota Thunder!!!
http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/5483500.html
RSL travels to Minnesota for their first US Open Cup match!

Old Ska · 06-30-2005, 08:43 AM

Well, I was hoping for CFP because I am seeing them play before that match, and not getting to see Thunder until the 16th. I was hoping to do some scouting and see how my predictions held up.

Here is the link for tickets. https://ssl4.westserver.net/mnthunder.com/secure/USOC_3rd_rd_order.php3

I just ordered mine.

Who else is going?

SoccerPrime · 06-30-2005, 08:51 AM

A slam on BS from a Thunder fan predicts that they will embarass RSL, especially if they bring the B Team. I agree.
Do we think RSL will send the A Team to this?
With Pope out and the backups a month away from arriving, its debatable.

Old Ska · 06-30-2005, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

A slam on BS from a Thunder fan predicts that they will embarass RSL, especially if they bring the B Team. I agree.
Do we think RSL will send the A Team to this?
With Pope out and the backups a month away from arriving, its debatable.

The star players haven't earned a pass on US Open CUp play this season, so RSL should send them.

There is the opportunity here for some excellent PR for the team if they do moderately well as in:

...maybe they had the futility record, but look how far they went in the US Open Cup...

I don't think most people in Utah are tuned in enough to know that the US Open cup isn't THAT big of a deal, so it would make for killer PR if they do well.

Any loss, with A or B squads, would be a big PR embarassment, even if it is understandable to the knowledgable US Soccer fan. So I say this is where we swing for the fences.

fuegote · 06-30-2005, 09:06 AM

added to Ska's post.....we can taste what a victory away from Rice-Eccles tastes like.....

yummy

Old Ska · 06-30-2005, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuegote

added to Ska's post.....we can taste what a victory away from Rice-Eccles tastes like.....

yummy

I can smell it from here.

SoccerPrime · 06-30-2005, 09:11 AM

I hope so. And I agree it would be good PR for RSL to take this seriously. However, with Pope out with Gold Cup callups, new fellas (like Cabrera or Gregorio) not available until August and several starters just coming back from injuries (Pierce, Dunseth); do we really think RSL will send the starters?
According to my calendar, RSL has a 2 away games on the Saturday before and the Saturday after this Open Cup match. My opinion is that RSL sends a mixed team at best to this and doesn't take it serious.
Actually, if RSL has a strong team against the July 9 (Chivas) and July 16 (KC) matches, they might pull out 6 points at away matches, which would be good for the soul too.