Lamar Hunt US Open Cup: The 5th Round
Old Rivalries, New Encounters and Great Soccer all Through – Round 5 Begins Tonight
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Not only is the US Open Cup a spectacle of American soccer heritage, tradition and history (being the longest-running soccer competition in the US, and the 3rd longest soccer competition in the world), but also a snapshot of what is now becoming of Soccer in the USA.
Slowly but surely, the beautiful game is taking over the beautiful country, with Americans of all ages, backgrounds and states taking interest in the sport, following, attending and becoming a driving force in world soccer.
Another great aspect of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the opportunity provided to all soccer players of all leagues, and the diversity of teams. Similar to America itself, a diversity and equal opportunity that will soon make American soccer a world power.
In this round of the competition, 13 of the reaming teams are from Major League Soccer, 1 from National American Soccer League and 1 from United Soccer League. So at this stage, MLS, NASL and USL are still in the competition and anything can happen really.
And things get even better – All matches are shown live on YouTube!!
The i-95 Rivalry: Philadelphia Union vs. D.C. United
Visitors D.C. United is coming into tonight’s match as the stronger side, ranked at top of the MLS Eastern Conference with 35 points (10-5-5). United’s boss Ben Olsen is expected to rotate his squad and beside the teams power-house players, will also give younger MLS talent from his team to play. He does have a deep roaster on the bench in case Philadelphia does apply pressure.
Hosts Philadelphia Union are now ranked 7 in the MLS Eastern Conference with 19 points (5-10-4). Although the Pennsylvanian side had a turbulent time this 2015 MLS season, the Union seems to be finding its form and has been registering wins lately – clawing its way back from the bottom of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference.
“We are going to play to win. It’s a competition I take very seriously, and this club takes seriously.” Says Jim Curtin, Philadelphia’s boss.
Fresh Newbies Host Tired Veterans: Orlando SC vs. Columbus Crew SC
Hosts Orlando Soccer Club, one of the most interesting teams in Major League Soccer this year, have been the expansion team that is setting for itself targets and going about achieving them in a very focused and diligent way. In that fashion, Orlando Boss Adrian Heath set up the Open Cup as one of the club’s highest priorities in its first MLS season. Accordingly, Orlando is expected to play with all of its guns blazing, and present its strongest squad.
Visitors Columbus Crew on the other end, will be coming into tonight’s game with much less force, with key players such as Fullback Rafael Ramos and Striker Cyle Larin injured and on international duty respectively. Add to that the hosts having nearly a full week of rest, against the visitors’ having played 2 matches last week including long and exhausting travel.
Gregg Berthalter, Columbus Boss said: “at this stage, it is what it is. You don’t make excuses for the group. You keep ploughing away, keeping the good attitude, hard work and focus.” Hopefully these truly-inspiring words from the coach will translate into an inspiring performance on the pitch.
Struggling MLS side meets USL Surprise: Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte Independence
It is no secret that hosts Chicago Fire have been struggling this MLS 2015 season. Ranked last in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference, having suffered injuries and losses for most of its season (4-9-2), MLS Chicago are not coming into this match against 3rd division contenders, United Soccer League’s Charlotte Independence.
To make things even more interesting, Charlotte who surprisingly beat New England Revolution 1-0 in the last round, are not even ranked high in the USL. Independence are ranked 7 in the United Soccer League Eastern Conference (4-4-4).
Chicago Fire’s Coach Frank Yallop has said he will play Mike Magee, who is slowly getting back into form, while recovering from hip surgery. Will Magee, the 2013 MLS season MVP save Chicago?
Clash At The Bottom of The MLS Table: Huston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids
Huston Dynamo and Colorado Rapids are both coming into this round and will meet in the US Open Cup for the first time ever. Both sides have suffered a back-to-back 2-0 loss on the road in the Major League Soccer 2015 regular season, and are hoping for a win that will break this losing streak and give the team a momentum that is desperately needed to continue fighting this season.
Hosts Dynamo are ranked 9th in the MLS Western Conference (5-7-5) and visitors Colorado Rapids are ranked one spot below at the very bottom of the Western Conference (2-6-9).
Colorado’s Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni dwelled on thoughts that probably represent both sides in this match: “It’s massive, I think a win will not only boost the morale of the group, but can help us pump really hard and continue to move forward.”
* Fixture Image Souce: mlssoccer.com
