Philadelphia Union
The Union were able to move forward in the US Open cup by defeating the Harrisburg City Islanders 3-1. Derrick Jones, “It was a great goal,” scored his first for the gold and the blue (not counting preseason). Here is the highlight.
C. J. Sapong put away a left footed far panel goal as well.
Marcus Epps scored his first for the Union as insurance. It was a calmly taken bit of deftness.
Local
CBS reports on a tournament started by kids from Northeast Philly to raise money to fight cancer. Sign up your group and help out.
The Nor’easters have created an official partnership with the Pittsburg Riverhounds.
Last night the Ocean City team conceded two early against Lehigh Valley United and was unable to claw back ending the match 1-2.
The Union site has a report on the Street Soccer USA tournament from this weekend.
U. S. Soccer
In an exciting night of Lamar Hunt U. S. Open cup action, three lower league teams defeated MLS sides. FC Cincinnati boasted a crowd of thirty one thousand fans that got to cheer as their team beat the Columbus Crew 1-0. Miami FC defeated Orlando 3-1 and Sacramento handled Real Salt Lake 4-1. Read more about the night’s action.
There were some pretty good contests this week in the Open Cup. Aside from the upsets, Atlanta and Houston did not get easy victories. Colorado, Chicago and Dallas just squeaked by, too. Only thing spoiling it all is the lackluster production values and small crowds (though FC Cincinnati got a 30,000+ turnout?).They need to try something else to get more butts in seats for these games. No idea what would work other than cheap tickets.
MLS teams should have to travel to lower division teams in the opening round.
+1.
agreed
Knowing what date the game is at the same time the schedule is released for regular season would be a major start
I didn’t see it mentioned in the earlier round ups this week, but Iran qualified for the World Cup on Monday, 3rd team to book their ticket to Russia (including the hosts).
Concerning to me a bit how little of the ball Derrick Jones saw last night… which is a pretty normal outcome I suppose when HM is your 6 and dictating play… this is where guys like Keegan need to play faster and simpler in possession instead of slowing play down or relentlessly trying curled through balls upfield.
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This Idea stolen from a buddy in discussion last night…. but not el Poacher.
If I’m reading it correctly, Union are on the road at NYRB next round of the open cup and then on the road again if they win that (against the winner of DC/NE).
I would confirm that Andy, both from my own read of the chart on Facebook and from Steel communications person Tom Via by word of mouth while watching Steel practice in Chester late morning/early afternoon today.
With my luck, this will be the year they win it all…and I’m scheduled to be away on vacation the day of the final.
Money money money….. It’s the answer to everything. U.S. Soccer is sitting on a 100 million, it’s time to spend some cash on the US Open Cup tournament. Ten million could go along way to help this competition. 2 million for the first round with amateurs split a few ways. Maybe 3 for rounds with D2, then 5 million for the final four split 500K for 3 & 4 each, a million for second and 3 million for the winner. Also shorten the time between rounds, it loses the drama.