Who cares if I'm paying more attention to the US Open Cup. I just hope the DCU management pays more attention by realizing it might be our best shot at international competition next year.

As for a player coach getting a red card, I would think he forfeits his rights to both the next game. How about if a defender gets a red card but is allowed to come back next game as a striker? You're either denied to be in the field of play or not. Give me a break.

I like the 6am updates.

Anybody hear any rumors about United working out a deal for a Wolfsburg (also Volkswagon sponsored) backup goalkeeper?

actually if Guppy was sent off and therefore suspended for the next match wouldn't that mean he's not allowed to be on the bench or near the pitch? He could coach the team in the lead up to the game and could likely sit in the stands, but is he allowed to coach from the bench?

Why all the red cards in Open Cup play?

Doesn't matter if we're taking it seriously. The question is whether or not Coach Tom is. A starting line-up next Tuesday that includes Dyachenko and Niell will provide Coach Tom's answer.

Anybody hear any rumors about United working out a deal for a Wolfsburg (also Volkswagon sponsored) backup goalkeeper?

Posted by: moreno4prez | June 25, 2008 6:56 AM

No, but I understand they're bringing a Jetta in for a GK tryout this week. Can't be much worse.

Slightly OT, but any rumors on a sell date for tickets to the USMNT-Cuba game in October?

Why all the red cards in Open Cup play?

Posted by: RB | June 25, 2008 7:21 AM

====================

chance to play an MLS team in a cup match is at stake -- which could be game of a lifetime for some -- players pulling out all the stops -- same reason why it is fun to watch

Thank you, Crystal Palace Baltimore.

Who cares if I'm paying more attention to the US Open Cup. I just hope the DCU management pays more attention by realizing it might be our best shot at international competition next year.

As for a player coach getting a red card, I would think he forfeits his rights to both the next game. How about if a defender gets a red card but is allowed to come back next game as a striker? You're either denied to be in the field of play or not. Give me a break.

Posted by: JMR | June 25, 2008 6:46 AM
----------------------------------------

I couldn't agree more. We need to find a way to qualify for international competition or there are going to be some serious unhappy campers around town.

I would like to pay more attention specially if we can see them play on TV but we have to follow through web based and I am not too much of a person to follow this way. If we care more, it would draw more fan base and maybe eventually make Open Cup more meaningful to everyone.
Red cards, I would imagine they play more aggressive games to win and perhaps also more sloppy players who don't really have good body control that turns up fauls. That said I think DC can easily beat Rochester, they are not doing too well this year.

Whether or not he can coach the game from the touchline, I'm glad Steve Guppy won't be playing in it. He was frequently injured when he played for United, but he could whip in a wicked cross when he was healthy...

I would like to pay more attention specially if we can see them play on TV but we have to follow through web based
Posted by: td | June 25, 2008 8:21 AM
+++++++++++++++

TV would be better, but I was actually quite impressed by the usllive streams last night.

Go Rhinos.

I think with so much at stake, it makes the US Open Cup a lot more exciting. It's great to see these small teams give it their all for a chance to go against and beat the best teams in MLS. I agree with the sentiment that it needs to be on TV to garner a lot more interest.

Thank you, Crystal Palace Baltimore.

Posted by: Kosh | June 25, 2008 8:18 AM
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Yeah!!!

Now the "hatred" for the Red Bulls/Metros as a United fan can evolve even into a more rounded "hatred".

And as a CPB season ticket holder--the admission to geer & heckle the Red Bulls in such a an intimate venue will be FREE.
How great is that?

Hopefully, we will give them a really good game.

How many can the Maryland Soccerplex hold? In the past Rochester has usually won the bids to get the USOC games versus MLS teams at home because they get a good gate. Did DCU take a loss just to make sure their players aren't traveling for this match? If so that'd symbolize to me that ownership is at least taking this competition slightly serious.

keep voting...we still need a little more to stay top.
http://web.mlsnet.com/sights/goal_of_the_week/

Open Cup creates more Zs than Goffs stadium updates.

Note: The Crystal Palace vs Red Bull match will *NOT* be played at UMBC, but at a site To Be Announced. There's something else going on at UMBC stadium that day.

Um...Gonzo has a mortal lock on that.

I am def more interested in the USOC this year because of whats at stake (spot in CL).

Maybe now some tv station will pick up some of the games. I understand why they wouldn't before, because nobody (MLS teams) played their starters unless they made the finals. I think we will start seeing starters in all the games now.

Washington Times competing with Dan.....

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/25/united-they-stand/?page=1my

Yeah, I'm more interested in the Open Cup because of the Champions League spot. Not much, but some. As the league expands, spots in international competitions will be harder to come by, so I'm eager to see DCU get a spot any way they can.

Open Cup creates more Zs than Goffs stadium updates.

Posted by: Ohboyohboy | June 25, 2008 9:04 AM
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Just substitute "MLS" with "Open Cup" and that would pretty much sum the way the interest of a lot of soccer fans in this country.

Which is to say that it is all relative.

I love the USOC.

Note: The Crystal Palace vs Red Bull match will *NOT* be played at UMBC, but at a site To Be Announced. There's something else going on at UMBC stadium that day.

Posted by: Goose | June 25, 2008 9:04 AM
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Goose, thanks for the heads up.

USOC...I always think United States Olympic Committee.

How many can the Maryland Soccerplex hold?

Posted by: Drew | June 25, 2008 8:51 AM

I think it's in the neighborhood of 4,000. Though I don't know if that takes in to account the grass seating and standing room. Really nice place to watch a game, if people can make it up to the distant location.

How many can the Maryland Soccerplex hold? In the past Rochester has usually won the bids to get the USOC games versus MLS teams at home because they get a good gate. Did DCU take a loss just to make sure their players aren't traveling for this match?
Posted by: Drew | June 25, 2008 8:51 AM
-------------------------------------------
Drew--ROC harcore. The 'plex showcase field holds up to 3200 or so.

Actually if you think about it, the MLS teams HAVE TO play at least a couple of their starters. Because unlike Reserve division games, we can't use any "guest players" for Open Cup games. That doesn't mean that we're likely to see Gallardo or Emilio, but probably a couple guys like Burch, Quaranta, and McTavish will play.

I live 10 min away from the soccerplex so I cant miss it. I bought 7 tix yesterday. I imagine it will sell out shortly. I hope to see our starting lineup or at least 80% of starters play some/most of the game.

The US Open Cup is definitely more important this year. Especially since we had such a poor start. Not having an international competition next year would be a huge disappointment. DC United is the one team that actually competes well at the international level for the MLS

I really love the Soccerplex venue. Great to see a United game in such an intimate setting. That's my main reason for coming out to the USOC games.

Regarding the Champions League -- How will they determine the other United States representatives, when DC United wins the USOC, Supporters Shield and MLS Cup triple?

They'll give it to the Beckhams, of course.

Well, so much for a Hollywood (United) story...Seattle 6-0 Hollywood. Sebastien LeToux tallied four goals in the rout.

So if you are a player-coach and get carded as a player, does that mean you can still come back and coach the next game?

LeToux has signed with The Sounders for next season right?
Nice.

yay! for palace! I am going to be at UMBC to see the NYRB!

DCU has never taken the USOC seriously. It doesn't get them into international competition, as the Supporters' Shield or MLS Cup champions does, and the prize money is tiny. I was with DCU for 12 years and the indifference to it didn't start with Soehn and Kasper and last year's debacle vs USL-2 Harrisburg. All the coaches could not have cared less.

Washington Times competing with Dan.....

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/25/united-they-stand/?page=1my

Posted by: football | June 25, 2008 9:24 AM
===========================================

This is a rare instance of someone even bothering to note what goes on with that newspaper. It reputedly loses about as much money each year as MLS has in its entire history. I wonder how seriously Goff (or Steinbog or anyone else at the Post) takes this "competition".

yay! for palace! I am going to be at UMBC to see the NYRB!

Posted by: Elvis | June 25, 2008 1:49 PM
=========================================

I do hope you've noted the discussion above about the likelihood that it will be somewhere other than UMBC.

"Remember DCU English winger Steve Guppy? He's a player-coach with the Rhinos. His evening included an assist and a red card, so he'll only be able to fulfill half his responsibilities next week."

So, it will like his tenure at DC United then. Only "half-fulfilling" his responsibilities.

Thx (for the memories, Stevie),

Jay!

Yes, I like that the US Open Cup winner gets a spot. Definitely more relevant.

Washington Times competing with Dan.....

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/25/united-they-stand/?page=1my

Posted by: football |

Entertaining article, competetive to the Post or not.
Thanks for the link. I, like most others, would never have seen it otherwise.