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Throw-Ins Upsets keep U.S. Open Cup interesting
Posted: Friday June 16, 2000 07:51 PM
Today's soccer trivia question: What do Chad Schomaker, Gregory Messam and Adam Throop have in common? Answer: They all played vital roles in upsets of three Major League Soccer teams during third-round action of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They may not be household names in the cities or towns in which they play, but these three men enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame by playing the hero for their teams on Wednesday night. Their accomplishments are the stuff from which legends are made. Schomaker scored the game-winning goal in the second minute of extra time for the Mid-Michigan Bucks (Premier Development League, the fourth division of U.S. pro soccer) in their 1-0 stunner of the New England Revolution, which are in first place in the Eastern Division. Messam connected for the first of three goals by the Richmond Kickers (A-League) in their surprising 3-0 triumph over the Colorado Rapids, who lost in the Open Cup final to Rochester last year. And Throop made several outstanding saves for the Chicago Sockers (PDL) in their 7-6 penalty-kick win over the Kansas City Wizards), who have the best MLS record (10-1-3). It's a strange equation, but for the Open Cup to grow and thrive, MLS teams must fall to lower division teams once in a while. Think of it. If all the favorites and MLS teams advanced, it would make for a rather boring and predictable competition, wouldn't it? It would become a glorified version of the MLS playoffs. It's this anticipation and excitement of the David-vs.-Goliath scenario which gives the English FA Cup life every year, the idea the minnows of soccer can battle with the big boys and once in a while pull off a surprise or two. England's granddaddy of all cup competitions is similar to the Open Cup, only on a much grander scale. Some big upsets already have occurred in the Open Cup as well. Three years ago, the San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro League) stunned two MLS teams before meeting their match against D.C. United in the semifinals. Last year, the Rochester Raging Rhinos, whom many people claim are an MLS team wearing A-League clothing, surprised four MLS sides in its march to the Open Cup title. Besides Wednesday's upsets, there were some near misses to make MLS teams sweat profusely. The Los Angeles Galaxy needed a 90th-minute goal by Cobi Jones to survive a 2-1 thriller with the Seattle Sounders (A-League). The Tampa Bay Mutiny overcame Uruguay S.C. -- for which Revs coach Fernando Clavijo was eligible to play -- although it took a Mamadou Diallo goal in the 94th minute after a bench-clearing brawl sent two players off. Some MLS teams haven't learned from history, and others look at the Open Cup as a nuisance in what is already a crowded schedule. Still other clubs see it as an opportunity to use younger players or rest injured players. Some of these teams were punished for using less-than-optimum lineups. For example, the Revs used a lineup that boasted an average age of 23. The Wizards used only three regulars in their starting lineup and also paid the price. The Rapids missed Henry Zambrano and Joey DiGiamarino due to groin injuries. When possible in the second and third rounds, teams from the lower leagues should be given the right of first refusal to host matches. It's a bigger event in those cities when MLS teams come to town. The Hammerheads called their MetroStars confrontation the biggest sporting event in the history of that North Carolina city. A record crowd of 5,426 showed up to watch this historic match. Who knows when the Hammerheads will attract a crowd like that again? The third round -- the Sweet 16 of the tournament set for July 25 -- has some intriguing matchups and storylines already. The Chicago Fire will take on the local Sockers; the defending cup champion Rochester Raging Rhinos will meet three-time MLS champ D.C. United; and the Galaxy will play the nearby San Diego Flash from the A-League. I just can't wait for the day when a PDL or an amateur team sponsored by a pub or restaurant goes deep into the cup or even wins it, so the Chad Schomakers, Gregory Messams and Adam Throops of the world get more than just 15 minutes of fame. Real soccer starts next monthA few last words on the U.S. Cup (not to be confused with the U.S. Open Cup).
That's when the games start to count. If the U.S. loses or performs poorly against Costa Rica, Barbados and the winner of the Guatemala-Antigua and Barbuda series, then much of what came out of the Cup naught will go for naught. In a friendly tournament, players might perform more relaxed. In a World Cup qualifying situation, play is a lot tighter because there is more at stake.
Bringing what was essentially a C team dominated by players from UNAM Pumas amounted to a disgrace and cheated fans and opposing players of getting the best quality opposition. In fact, the Mexicans started seven Pumas players against the U.S. and completed the match with 10 players from that club. "This was an accidental national team," said Hugo Sanchez, who coached this Mexican team. Regardless of how this situation works out, this action will certainly add fuel to the fire for future matches between these countries. I wouldn't be surprised if the Mexican federation pulls off some gamesmanship the next time these two rivals meet in Mexico, which should be in a World Cup qualifier next year.
Looking at the other side of the pondA couple of quick thoughts about what's happening at Euro 2000 in the Netherlands and Belgium:
Matthäus threw down the gauntlet in German publication Bild, claiming any player with critical remarks should tell that to his face. He also reportedly went to coach Erich Ribbeck and said he would go home if he wasn't needed on the team. Just wonder what type of reception that Matthäus will get from his teammates when he returns to the MetroStars. The MetroStars are 3-1 without him and except for the 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Mutiny, have played better sans Lothar.
The most dangerous lead in soccer is a two-goal lead. Just ask England, which squandered an early two-goal advantage in what turned into an embarrassing 3-2 loss to Portugal. Luis Figo and Rui Costa were magnificent for the Portuguese, who never panicked or wavered from their game. While the England-Germany encounter on Saturday was super-hyped already because of their battle to host the 2006 World Cup and their subsequent matchup in the same qualifying group for the 2002 event, the teams' subpar performances in their opening matches make it a must-win situation for both sides. A low-scoring draw would keep Germany barely alive and England one step out the door, depending on the Romania-Portugal match.
Sacking of the weekThe Montreal Impact stumbled to a 1-3 start in the A-League and fired Zoran Jankovic. He was replaced by former Impact coach Valerio Gazzola, who dropped his first two games last weekend -- 2-1 to the Rhinos and 4-0 to the Toronto Lynx. Chip Shots
Power never could be restored, and the game was declared official under MLS rules (it lasted at least a half). It goes down in the books as a scoreless tie. What hurts United more was the tie. Since the game is official, each team gets a point for a tie. United, with the worst record and lowest point total in the league, needs all the points it can muster to get back into the playoff race.
"His basic concern was that we didn't get complacent," goalkeeper Mike Ammann said. "If we were, it was the wrong in doing so. Each player's meeting was completely separate. We answered a few questions and we're headed in the right direction."
Last year, D.C. lost a late lead and eventually the U.S. Open Cup game to the Charleston Battery (A-League) in extra time, 4-3. This year's result was decisive -- a 4-0 battering of the Battery as midfielder Marco Etcheverry struck for a hat trick.
Being the sportsman that I am, I have decided to share the cup with my namesake. I know he would do the same for me. Michael Lewis covers soccer for the New York Daily News. His third book, Soccer For Dummies, was published this spring. To submit a question or comment to Michael Lewis, click here.
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