Open Cup News Reports - August 30

Coverage of the US Open Cup...

• SoundersFC.com – Match Preview: vs FC Dallas (video) [view]  
• MLSsoccer.com – USOC Preview: Fire meet familiar foes Richmond in semis [view] 
• MLSsoccer.com – USOC Preview: Sounders host FCD in semifinal clash [view]  
• MLSsoccer.com – John returns to FC Dallas to “win championships” [view] 
• Chicago-Fire.com – The Fire Report: Momentum builds after consecutive wins [view]  
• Chicago-Fire.com – Kings of the Cup (Fire Open Cup trophies photo gallery) [view] 
• SoundersFC.com – Neagle named MLS Player of the Week [view] 
• SoundersFC.com: Rave Green – Meet FC Dallas (US Open Cup edition) [view]  
• GoalWA.net – FC Dallas stands between Sounders and another USOC Final [view] 
• The Sporting News – Fire coach Klopas hopes Cup greeted with Open arms [view]  
• Chicago Sun-Times – Revived Fire ready for Richmond in US Open Cup semi [view] 
• Richmond Times-Dispatch – VCU ties aplenty in Kickers’ Cup game [view]  
• ESPN.com Chicago – Fire aim for 6th Open Cup final appearance [view]  
• Chicagoland Soccer News – A Win Away: Fire can advance to Open Cup final [view] 
• Seattle Times – Sounders FC hosts FC Dallas in US Open Cup semifinal [view] 
• The Olympian – Familiar foe meets Sounders in semis [view]
• SI.com: Inside Soccer – Five things learned in MLS Week 24 [view]  
• SB Nation: Big D Soccer – FC Dallas News Update 8/29 [view]

Open Cup News Reports - August 29

Coverage of the US Open Cup... 

• The Seattle Times: Sounders FC Blog – Sounders FC would host USOC final if it advances Tuesday [view] 
• The News Tribune: Sounders Insider – If Sounders advance, they’ll host US Open Cup final [view] 
• The Olympian – Active Sounders add to their crew [view] 
• MLive.com – Hosting scenarios for 2011 US Open Cup Final announced [view] 
• Chicago Sun-Times – Rapidly improving Fire tops champs [view] 
• The Dallas Morning News – With deal in England not finalized, FC Dallas star George John set to return [view]  
• Daily Herald – Has the Chicago Fire turned the corner? [view] 
• RichmondKickers.com – US Open Cup Semifinals Tuesday [view] 
• ChicagoFire.com – Double Knockout: Klopas, Cowlishaw on managing matches ahead of semi’s [view] 
• ChicagoFire.com – Postgame Quote Sheet (from MLS match including Open Cup comments) [view]
• MLSsoccer.com – FCD defender George John’s move to Blackburn called off [view]

Open Cup clubs unaffected by Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene created three cancellations within the Major League Soccer schedule for the weekend, but has had no effect on the upcoming US Open Cup semifinals. All three MLS clubs are in action west of the Mississippi Saturday evening. Even the fourth club, Richmond Kickers, appear to be on schedule with no word of postponements out of Orlando, Florida where they are scheduled to play in the USL Pro semifinals Saturday night.

Open Cup clubs leading way as MLS sides off to unprecedented start in Champions League

For the first time, the full potential of five participants from Major League Soccer found themselves advancing to the Group Stage of the CONCACAF Champions League as FC Dallas, Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC all won their Preliminary Round series. They joined previously seeded Colorado Rapids and Los Angeles Galaxy in the 16-team phase of the tournament.

Nutrilite Canadian Championship 2011 winners Toronto FC advanced with a pair of 2-1 victories over Real Esteli (Nicaragua) and the 2010 US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders rallied from a 1-0 road loss in Panama to defeat San Francisco in series overtime. US Open Cup hero Nate Jaqua scoring the series winner in the 98th minute of the 2-0 second leg result.

Current Open Cup semifinalist FC Dallas made history as the second non-Mexican club to post two shutouts in any two-leg CCL series (Preliminary or knockout stages), blanking Alianza (El Salvador) in a pair of one-goal decisions. The only other non-Mexican side to accomplish the feat previously was future MLS side Montreal Impact, which posted a 1-0 home win and scoreless draw against Real Esteli in the 2008 Preliminary Round.