Livin' it up in Hard Hittin'

The U.S. Open Cup is the worst marketed professional athletic contest in America, and maybe the world.

The competition allows soccer teams from various levels to compete for the Lamar Hunt Trophy. It is one of the oldest actively participated soccer tournaments in the world. Yet like most multi-league “in country” tournaments, the U.S. Cup takes a back seat for most clubs in our top league, Major League Soccer. Coaches routinely go with inexperienced players, and players coming back from injury. Tuesday nights match between the MLS' New England Revolution and the USL's Crystal Palace-Baltimore was no different.

The match was played in New Britain, Connecticut, and only 2900 people showed up. 2900 people wouldn’t fill Morrone Stadium, on the campus of the University of Connecticut Huskies, let alone Veterans Stadium at Willowbrook. Thus, New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol only had two starters in his lineup Tuesday night against low level club and heavy underdog Crystal Palace-Baltimore. If there was to be a criticism of the match, it was that U.S. Soccer/MLS does not do enough to get the word out when U.S. Open Cup games at all, let alone matches played at these neutral sites. Yes, the fact that the New York Red Bulls lost to CPB last week did dampen excitement for the match. However, the story of a USL second division team playing an MLS powerhouse should have been enough to get 5,000 people to the stadium.

The Revolution regulars who took the pitch were Taylor Twellman and Khano Smith. Each had a frustrating night. Despite jumping out to a 1-0 after 6 minutes, the Revs were unprepared for CPB’s chippiness and tenacity. The scrappy underdogs didn’t fold...to my delight. They tied the game just 15 minutes later. CPB’s left sided attack tore up the Revs, particularly defender Rob Valentino. Khano Smith proved once again he has million dollar talent but a 10 cent brain. Drifting in an out of play, he was a non factor in the 2nd half, only to be substituted for his lackluster effort. Twellman was scrappy, but was undone by an organize CPB back four.

As a major upset grew more and more a possibility, I started rooting for CPB. Their dreadlocked forward Gary Brooks was a joy to watch, especially once taken off as he bantered with fans in my section. The game went into overtime, with each club having good opportunities to break through. In the 120th minute CPB substitute midfielder Sergio Flores was sent off. Seconds later Nicol amazingly took Twellman off after playing the entire match. It seemed inexplicable to most in the crowd, …..why in the world would he take off his best scorer on the verge of penalty kicks?


Of coarse Nicol said afterwards it was all about giving the young guys a chance. But if he really wanted to win, why not put Matt Reis into the match late in overtime? I figure on some level the US Open Cup games become a burden for a team that has lost four consecutive MLS Cups. It didn’t end up making a difference, as Revs back up goal keeper Doug Warren made a huge save with the PK score 4-3 in favor of the Revs. Warren had played pretty well to overcome some difficulties in controlling the box earlier in the match. Mauricio Castro closed the match with a cheeky chip shot PK that had CPB’s keeper headed the wrong direction.

It was an interesting match. The inexperienced members of the Revs showed quality poise in overtime and in PK's. I have officially jumped on ESPN's Brian Kenny's idea to take players off the field during overtime. going 8v8 in overtime would be an exciting way to end the game in the flow of game action, not by the even more contrived notion of PK's. CPB played great, and diserved a better opportunity to win in the flow of game action.

Like most sporting events in CT, the kid to adult ratio was 2:1. The vodka for sale was an interesting touch. In the end, it was premium American soccer at a discounted price in a relic of a venue. It was as good as it gets for New Britain. Next year the games should be promoted for real and held at one of the local university stadiums. I mean my goodness, Marrone Stadium was recently named the 4th best stadium to watch soccer in the country.