2007 US Open Cup Quarterfinal results - FCD moves along, Colorado is humiliated

Three of the four quarterfinals are over and the news for the MLS is mixed as FC Dallas pulled out a win while Seattle destroyed Colorado in amazing fashion. In the lone USL vs. USL meeting, Carolina held out against Richmond to advance to the semifinals.

However, the collapse of Colorado has got to be the story of the night. Down three at halftime, they shifted to a three-man backline to increase their offense only to see things get even worse. With the way this club looked tonight added to their current MLS form, one has to wonder what it would take for Fernando Clavijo to get fired. Don't get me wrong, I like Clavijo but his club is heading backwards in a hurry and something needs to change.

FC Dallas was the only road team to win on the night meaning home sides are 27 for 35 in this year's open.

Richmond looked good through out their match with Carolina but the Railhawks just had a little more push in this one.

Game Number Date, Teams, Venue, Time
33 August 8, Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at NE Revolution (MLS), Gilette Stadium; Foxborough, Mass., 7:30 pm ET
34 August 7, Richmond Kickers (USL-2) 0-1 Carolina Railhawks (USL-1)
35 August 7, FC Dallas (MLS) 2-1 Charleston Battery (USL-1)
36 August 7, Colorado Rapids (MLS) 0-5 Seattle Sounders (USL-1)

2007 US Open Cup Quarter finals start tonight - Will the USL continue to control the MLS?

The US Open Cup Quarter-final round gets under way tonight with three games on the schedule. The big question going into the action is will the MLS clubs produce. After going 3 for 8 in the last round, they are under pressure to make something happen. However, if results so far are any indication of how things will turn out, it might be a difficult run for the top league in the country.

So far in the tournament, home teams have won 25 of the 32 meetings (including going 7 for 8 in the last round), meaning there is a serious advantage to playing on your own pitch. With both MLS sides playing tonight doing so on the road, well you can see why they should be a little nervous.

By the way, all three of tonight's games will stream live, for free over the internet thanks to USLlive.com.

Here are the games:
Richmond Kickers (USL-2) vs. Carolina RailHawks (USL-1)
7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
USLlive.com

FC Dallas (MLS) vs. Charleston Battery (USL-1)
7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
USLlive.com

Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
10pm ET/ 7pm PT
USLlive.com

To take a guess at the outcome of these matches, I think Carolina, FC Dallas and Seattle will advance.

2007 US Open Cup Third Round results - LA & Houston are out

What a night for US Open Cup matches. All four had their moments of excitement and all could have ended up just about any way. Going in, all four MLS teams were favored, even though a number of them were playing mostly from reserves, but in the end only two will move forward.

The biggest shock of the night came out of Richmond where the USL second division Kickers stamped out the LA Galaxy's hopes of returning to a third consecutive US Open Cup final. A lone goal by David Bulow in the 31st is all the Kickers needed to send Landon Donovan and crew home with nothing.

But LA will not be licking their wounds alone as the MLS Champions also fell to a lower division side. Houston had many of their reserve players on the pitch meaning the game was pretty even. Still, if it wasn't for some fantastic goalkeeping by both sides, this one could have been a real net burner. But in the end, it came down to a penalty kick that Steven Armstrong nailed (edit) that Zach Wells stopped, however, Steven Armstrong picked up the rebound and nailed it in for the Charleston Battery in the 106th minute. The Battery will now see if they can do the Texas two-step as they will face FC Dallas in round four.

New England jumped out to a two-goal lead in Rochester, only to see the Rhinos come screaming back to tie it up. However, the celebration did not last long as the Revs scored the go ahead goal in the 90th and their fourth goal in the 93rd off a penalty kick.

Finally, the Colorado Rapids had very little troubles dispatching the California Victory as they won 3-1.

Of the five third round matches played so far, four have seen pretty even battles. The round continues tomorrow when DC United travels to Pennsylvania to take on the Harrisburg City Islanders. With home field advantage looking to be more important then division level, it might be a hard night for DC.

Here is the Third Round schedule/results:
Game Number, Date, Teams, Venue, Time
25 July 11, D.C. United (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2),Hempfield High School Stadium; Greensburg, Pa. 7:30 p.m. ET
26 July 10, N.E. Revolution (MLS) 4-2 Rochester Rhinos (USL-1)
27 July 10, Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 0-1 Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
28 July 15, Chicago Fire (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (USL-1), SAS Soccer Park; Cary, N.C. 5 p.m. ET
29 July 9, Atlanta Silverbacks (USL-1) 1-1 FC Dallas (MLS) FC Dallas wins on pks 4-3
30 July 10, Houston Dynamo (MLS) 0-1 Charleston Battery (USL-1)
31 July 10, California Victory (USL-1) 1-3 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
32 July 18, Chivas USA (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1), Qwest Field; Seattle, Wash. 7 p.m. PT

Ching sent home

US coach Bob Bradley has sent Brian 'Boot to the face' Ching back to his club in time for him to suit up against USL First-Division side the Charleston Battery in an exhibition match and the Dynamo girls go crazy

With Ching out of camp, Taylor Twellman should earn a starting spot and Kenny Cooper should get some substitution time.