WASHINGTON, DC (July 7, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- Real Salt Lake plays it straight and tomorrow brings us the quarterfinal stage of the US Open Cup.
Media Relations
For those of you that haven't already seen it, Soccer America's Ridge Mahoney had a less than flattering take on Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis earlier today. Whether or not you happen to agree with the point, it's a little odd that the Mahoney article made the Today's RSL Articles that the club sends out.
We're going to give them the benefit of the doubt in assuming they send out any article mentioning RSL. On a slow Monday, their one and only option was a piece basically calling out their coach. then again, maybe it's better to save that one for Tuesday when it gets accompanied by other items.
As it stands, whatever points RSL might win for keeping their editorial bias firmly in check, that gets pushed aside by a club sending out a negative article about themselves. Pro sports remains a business, and nobody in or outside the media should expect that.
Olsen Out
Days after returning for DC United, midfielder Ben Olsen needed another operation on his injured ankle. It is unclear how long the recovery will take. DC United's Doug Hicks told The Washington Post: "This is not expected to end his season. We'll know more after the surgery is complete."
Open Cup Quarterfinals
All games to be played on July 8th
New England - Crystal Palace USA
Veterans Stadium - New Britain, CT
7pm
DC - Chicago
SoccerPlex - Boyds, MD
7:30pm
Dallas - Charleston
Pizza Hut Park - Frisco, TX
8:30pm
Seattle - Kansas City
Qwest Field - Seattle, WA
10pm
You'll notice that of the four games, three feature United Soccer League clubs, but only one is hosting and it's the team moving to MLS next season and using a soon-to-be MLS venue. New England and DC can't be bothered to use their actual stadiums, yet still end up hosting.
Advantage MLS everywhere but Seattle, and that would also top the list for the likliest upset. Dallas - Charleston follows closely behind, with MLS not really stressing the quaility so far. A sweep rather than the predictable excuses would change that.
