US Open Cup Third Round

The third round of the US Open Cup starts today and it features some interesting ties. The draw of the round has to be the renewal of the Cascadia derby between the Portland Timber and Seattle Sounders at PGE Park. Portland and Seattle are rivals in just about everything and soccer is certainly no exception, the Timbers and Sounders have been doing battle in one form or another since the 1970's. Stadium officials are expecting a sell out crowd in Portland, it should be an interesting match to say the least. As if the fire needed anymore fuel, Portland cast aside the Kitsap Pumas - who some Sounders fans hold a soft-spot for - to get to the third round. This match takes place on Wednesday.

While the northwest has grabbed the headlines it shouldn't shift any attention away from the mid-Atlantic region where tiny Ocean City will look to continue their storybook run against holders DC United at the Maryland SoccerPlex, DC United's secondary home. The Barons have beaten two professional Maryland clubs, Crystal Palace Baltimore and Real Maryland - the latter of whom call the SoccerPlex home - to get this far. I hate the phrase "David v Goliath" (Because I'm 205 cm and I'm a puppy dog, apperently) but I guess this could be described as one. Ocean City sit third out of nine in their PDL Northeastern Division table, while DC United currently top the Eastern table in MLS (but sit fourth overall).

Another match of note includes a Texas derby on Wednesday between Austin and Houston at Nelson Field. With FC Dallas' recent crowd issues, this may be a match between the best supported sides in Texas. The Dynamo have been powerful as usual this season as they've stormed to the top of the MLS table, fate has not been as kind to Austin who rank near the bottom of the USL First Division in their maiden season. Texas, like California and if you want, North (and South) Carolina is a bit of an interesting case. A state cup competition could be viable there (ten sides in the top four divisions call Texas home), but at the moment that's just a pipe dream.

The biggest potential for an upset could be on the Carolina coast when Chicago travels down east to take on Wilmington at Legion Field. The Hammerheads are having an impressive season while the Fire have looked flat at times.

The other matches in round three are: Tuesday - New England (MLS) v Harrisburg (USL2) [at New Britain, CT],  Rochester (USL1) v Columbus (MLS), Charleston (USL1) v Chivas USA (MLS), Minnesota (USL1) v Kansas City (MLS)