SoccerAmerica - Galaxy and six other MLS teams ousted 05/30/2012

[U.S. OPEN CUP] The 2012 season could not get any worse for the defending MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy. It fell to the Carolina RailHawks, winless in nine games in the NASL, 2-1, in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. Six other MLS teams also fell to minor-league teams.

Carolina RailHawks (NASL) 2 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 1.
Ty Shipilane scored the tying goal, then set up Brian Shriver for the late winner for the RailHawks, who are 0-4-5 in NASL play. The loss extended the Galaxy's winless streak to eight games and was its ninth of the season -- one more than it lost the entire 2011 campaign. Hector Jimenez and Chad Barrett teamed up to feed Pat Noonan for the Galaxy goal, but Jimenez, Barrett and Bryan Gaul all later left the game with injuries.

Real Salt Lake (MLS) 1 Minnesota Stars (NASL) 3.
RSL bought the rights to host the game, which drew 17,212 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium, but it fell to the defending NASL champions. The game turned on a hand-ball called on Jamison Olave in the penalty area just before halftime. Neil Hlavaty converted to give the Stars a 2-1 lead and they extended it on substitute Simone Bracalello's goal in the 58th minute. Afterwards, RSL coach Jason Kreis apologized to management and his club's fans for the performance.

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) 3 New England Revolution (MLS) 3 (4-3 on penalties.)
The City Islanders prevailed after an epic 30 minutes of overtime. The Revs scored three times in the first 15 minutes, but Harrisburg came back with goals by Brian Ombiji, J.T. Noone and Sainey Touray in the final nine minutes of the second stanza to force penalties. Kelyn Rowe and Benny Feilhaber missed for New England in the shootout.

Columbus Crew (MLS) 1 Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) 2.
The Dutch Lions are in last place in USL PRO without a win in eight games, but they are the kings of the Buckeye State after winning thanks to two late goals. The heroes were goalie Matthew Williams, who held off a Crew onslaught, and sub Daniel Holowaty, who set up Jan Gerrit Bartels and Gibson Bardsley for goals two minutes apart late in the game. Columbus finished with an 18-3 edge in shots.

Michigan Bucks (PDL) 3 Chicago Fire (MLS) 2.
Nermin Crnkic scored in the third minute of overtime to give the Bucks, the last team from the amateur PDL now still alive in the competition, the win over the four-time Open Cup champion Fire. Crnkic had done all the work to set up Nathaniel Boyden on the tying goal with 11 minutes remaining in regulation. The game was played at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., making it the first ever game played indoors in the history of the Open Cup.

San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) 1 Houston Dynamo (MLS) 0.
Midfielder Hans Denissen converted a penalty in the 51st minute for the winning goal for the NASL expansion Scorpions, who are now unbeaten in their last eight games. The penalty kick was awarded after Dynamo defender Warren Creavalle took down Pablo Campos in the penalty area. The game drew 7,164 fans at Heroes Stadium.

FC Dallas 0 Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) 2.
Like the Galaxy, Dallas suffered a painful loss as Zach Loyd and George John went off with injuries six minutes apart in the first half. Trinidadian Darryl Roberts put the Eagles ahead in the 43rd minute, and Nate Thornton clinched the win with an insurance goal in stoppage time. By then, Jackson had been sent off, forcing Dallas to play with 10 men. The Eagles' win was another improbable result as they are only 2-9-2 in USL PRO play.

Other results:
Sporting KC (MLS) 3 Orlando City (USL PRO) 2.
Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) 1 D.C. United (MLS) 2
Philadelphia Union (MLS) 3 Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) 0.
Charleston Battery (USL PRO) 0 New York Red Bulls (MLS) 3.
Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 0 Chivas USA (MLS) 1.
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) 1 Colorado Rapids (MLS) 3.
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) 2 Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) 1.

Schedule:
May 30
Portland Timbers (MLS) vs. Cal FC (USASA)
Seattle Sounders (MLS) vs. Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)

10 comments

Justin Motzkus

commented on: May 30, 2012 at 1:11 p.m.

Granted, in soccer, the best teams don't always win, but this would sure suggest that those that complain that expanding the number of teams in the MLS would "dilute" the talent, might not be arguing on as firm a footing as they imagine. Good on the NASL for the "street cred" and giving young players more to aspire to and avenues to develop.

Carlos Thys

commented on: May 30, 2012 at 2:13 p.m.

This is very, very positive on many levels. One, it means that this is a fair and open competition (one hopes) where literally any team can advance toward the finals. In other words, not manipulated as in Italy to achieve a very marquee-like set of semi-finals and final. Two, parity. Are the NASL and USLPro leagues really that much worse? (look how close the game was in Richmond and Orlando.) Three, player caliber. Are there now some players with Carolina, San Antonio, and Minnesota that coaches in the MLS wish they hadn't overlooked? How about Harrisburg? Portland and Seattle coaches can be very glad that their players got this very real, loud warning 24 hours in advance. I suspect that even more new emphasis will be placed on these matches for these two northwest MSL sides. To extrapolate, if I may, on what Justin Motzkus wrote above, perhaps these Cup results also point out very clearly that promotions and relegations could work. If lower teams have this kind of caliber in them, why not? One question: America is a very big country. The issue of travelling fans for most of these clubs is a non issue; away fans cannot make that kind of commitment and haven't those funds/resources/or time to travel to an away fixture. Yet I see a lot of "regional" ties here. Richmond v. Washington, D.C. Ventura County vs. Chivas, San Antonio vs. Houston, Michigan vs. Chicago, Columbus vs. Dayton. How are these pairings made? Are these Cup draws done blindly? Or are regional pairings done on purpose at this state of the Cup? And at what point are seedings made, if at all. Sorry to have such ignorance on this; I have never paid attention to it before we are down to the final eight teams. And I am used to seeing the cup draws done on live television as done in Europe.

Mark Grody

commented on: May 30, 2012 at 2:24 p.m.

Promotion etc isn't about quality of the borderline teams. You will always have some one at the end of the table. None of the owners want to risk losing money & cache with a system of relegation. . I think it would be cool to make the bottom four MLS teams play in a tournament with the top four teams from the lower tier pro leagues during the MLS playoffs.

Carlos Thys

commented on: May 30, 2012 at 3:56 p.m.

Are Real Salt Lake and Houston regretting letting a key player go to play (er, be in the side) for the USMNT? They'll scratch their heads and wonder if Scotland was worth it or just how much playing time their player will see versus Brazil.

Jakub Mazur

commented on: May 30, 2012 at 4:38 p.m.

It's time for promotion/relegation in MLS.

Kerry Solomon

commented on: May 30, 2012 at 7:17 p.m.

Gentlemen please keep in mind that many MLS take teams don't play their better players. In other words, they don't take this Cup seriously.

R.a. Vizcarra

commented on: May 30, 2012 at 7:19 p.m.

wow, the comments here are so far off the mark, its hilarious. allow me to illustrate. 1)THERE WILL NOT BE PRO/REL IN MLS EVER 2)The results do NOT mean that NASL/USL teams are on park with MLS teams talent-wise 3)the results DO indicate how little most MLS teams care about USOC 4)the results point to a lack of depth in MLS beyond the starting eleven 5)the lack of depth beyond starting 11 is directly related to low salaries in MLS and 6)once again, there will never be pro/rel in MLS due to financial reasons(MLS owners will not agree to it, after paying 40-60 million franchise fee and building SSS). forget about it, this is American Soccer, not European, we do it our way baby. Lets instead raise quality, by gradually raising salaries and allowing teams to have depth for USOC, CCL and so-called "international meaningless friendlies".

Robert Kiernan

commented on: May 31, 2012 at 1:30 a.m.

Well first off MLS might like to recognize FIFA International dates and not schedule matches when they are likely to be missing players... also since there is a single entity system in place in MLS the idea that MLS teams "Missed" these players doesn't really track either... simple fact is that after about the 14th or 15th player on a typical MLS side... there are rather few players that are all that much better than those playing in the lower divisions... and when MLS sides make the decision NOT TO PLAY their best against these teams, well see what can happen. No there is no way that there is EVER going to be Relegation/Promotion in MLS... it just isn't gonna fly with those who "own" the teams... much more likely to see some sort of relationship develop with the D2 sides... akin to what Baseball has developed, and with 19 or the allowed 20 teams already on the field, there isn't going to be continued growth by expansion beyond that last team, looking likely to be a "semi bogus" New York COSMOS... even though they have no place to play and under the salary cap have no hope of signing the sort of players that the original side had... Ending the "Single Entity" status is essential if any of these sides are ever going to develop their own players and actually have a deep enough squad to compete effectively in this and all other competitions... (ICE)

Carlos Thys

commented on: May 31, 2012 at 3:45 a.m.

That is always the old sod, is it not? "Oh, we really don't care about this competition." Oh ha. The English would say to that, "pure rubbish!" There is very little silverware to win in North America. I am rather certain that MLS teams care indeed as do the NASL ones. The fans are not fooled. Ask the Portland fans who attended the 0-1 loss that knocked them out last night. The Portland fans who were against their own players when they chanted, "Play like you care!" I am not sure if Portland bought the right to host as Seattle did, but I am sure that the Portland franchise leadership is rather sour and embarrassed. (It is hardly a way to thank your fans who've been setting a record on sellouts.) And some players might be teetering on being dropped. Trust me: MLS clubs care. All clubs always play for titles. If there is a title and trophy to be gained, clubs care. Watch how Seattle will indeed gun for their fourth U.S. Open Cup. Seattle knows it means something, that is grows the franchise, that it pumps confidence into your players, it grows one's fan base, it brings fans in, it brings more media in, and it thanks both one's sponsors and fans.

Phil Love

commented on: May 31, 2012 at 8:55 a.m.

Mr. Vizcarra, I agree. Even in Europe there is now talk of elminating relegation as it's just too expensive for club owners and causes too much uncertainty for investors.

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