June 26, 2007
US Open Cup.comUSL.com - Open Cup games on USLLive
With the Rhinos attendance down over last season, additional funding for PAETEC Park awaiting arrival from New York State government, and money issues apparently a factor, tonight's US Open Cup 2nd Round match versus the USL 2nd Division's Western Mass Pioneers is huge financially for the club.
On the line is a July 10th home match versus the New England Revolution of MLS. One would have to think that a re-match of last year's US Open Cup thriller that ended with the Revolution winning 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout would be a solid draw for the Rhinos, if it is marketed well.
Coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw at home on Friday night versus the California Victory, the Rhinos have to be primed heading into tonight's match. Although, the Rhinos struggled to put away the PDL's Long Island Roughriders in the Open Cup's opening round, so maybe nothing is a given tonight..................
Around and about
- Greg Lalas has a solid piece at SI.com about the Gold Cup victory and the roster that Bob Bradley is taking to Copa America. The one thing that stuck out to me was how European clubs didn't need to release their players for the Copa America as the US is a guest team. What exactly would players be missing out on if they were to play for team USA in this tournament?
- Apparently Kasey Keller turned down a chance to play in Iran. And if Kasey ends up playing for a Mexican club instead of MLS, then there needs to be an investigation!
- The Kansas City Wizards may not have a stadium to call their own, but they do have a new training facility. With that big investment in the club, I wonder what the chances are that MLS would force them to leave the Kansas City area should a deal to build a stadium for the Wizards drag on a few more years?
- Steve Davis at MLSNet.com has his always quality review of the weekend action up. And does Steve Nicol really have a tough decision to make once Taylor Twellman returns to the club after the Copa America?
- Thierry Henry's move from Arsenal to Barcelona was made official yesterday. Once again, thank goodness I get GolTV!
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
