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Photo: Nicolae Stoian

US Open Cup

DC United v Philadelphia Union

Peter Nowak made clear during Monday’s press conference that the Union are taking tonight’s US Open Cup match against DC United very seriously. “We treat all these games with respect. I’ve been preaching for years, that everything starts in training…You can’t take these games lightly like the other (MLS) teams did, because then you’ll be eliminated. It’s important to show up. Whenever you put it all on the plate, you can have a good result.”

Nowak also said, “The commitment and knowing that we might host the next game at home and advance in this tournament is very, very important. When we have another 11 days off before the next game, which is also against DC United, I think it’s very important to have a good performance and to show up and make a tough game.”

Nowak also suggested a win is also important in terms bolstering the team’s overall form. “I believe success breeds success, and that’s why I was extremely disappointed in the Toronto game. How we go from the New York game where we put the pressure on them and was a lot of runs off the ball to Toronto where we were static, and slow off the ball…It can’t be a good game vs. Rochester and then another step back [Tuesday against United]. We have to make sure we play a good game from the first minute to the 90th minute.”

While Carlos Valdes will return to the Union backline after missing the US Open Cup Third Round game against Rochester Rhinos due to suspension, Sheanon Williams (big toe sprain) and Zac MacMath (concussion symptoms) are doubtful, Ramon Gaddis (illness) is questionable, while Chris Albright (big toe sprain) is probable. Here’s the most recent injury report, published last Friday:

PHILADELPHIA UNION — OUT: FW Krystian Witkowski (concussion symptoms); GK Zac MacMath (concussion symptoms); DOUBTFUL: DF Sheanon Williams (R big toe sprain); GK Chase Harrison (L ankle sprain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Roger Torres (L knee surgery recovery); DF Raymon Gaddis (illness); MF Keon Daniel (L ankle sprain); PROBABLE: DF Chris Albright (L big toe sprain); MF Cristhian Hernandez (L ankle sprain)

At Monday’s press conference, Peter Nowak said test results due this morning will determine if Zac MacMath is fit to play. Kerith Gabriel reports that Sheannon Williams is unlikely to dress for tonight’s game but Chris Vito says he should be OK. Whether or not Raymon Gaddis travels will be determined this morning.

Given the injuries throughout the defense, Dave Zeitlin writes that the Union are again likely to be slotting midfielders into the backline. Says Michael Lahoud, “I had never played defense in my life, but now I’m so grateful for those games. Whatever my coaches saw in my ability to play there, it’s something that’s coming to fruition now. I feel a lot more comfortable there.”

Nowak said that there are no injury concerns with the Union attack. He said of Josue Martinez, who impressed against Rochester, “We always want to give Josue more time. He’s in good form, he’s settled in. It’s important how he feels around the team, in the locker room. Being the new guy, especially as quiet as he is, he had to fit in. We had to give him some room to settle in, instead of push him and push him. He feels comfortable with the role he played against Rochester and the more time he spends on the field, the better. We want to establish his role with the team.”

Kevin Kinkead has a scouting report ahead of tonight’s US Open Cup Fourth Round meeting between Philadelphia Union and DC United at the Maryland SoccerPlex. In a nutshell, United scores a lot of goals, but they allow a lot, too.

In the match preview at the DC United website, head coach Ben Olsen says, “It’s important to us. It’s a great tournament, there are financial implications for the guys, and we want to get back to holding trophies and this is an opportunity to do that.”

The match preview at the Washington Post reminds everyone that United will be without Dwayne De Rosario and Dejan Jakovic, both of whom are with the Canadian national team.

CSN DC notes that Chris Pontius is still listed as doubtful and Danny Cruz is listed as out.

Black and Red United, who say the Union “are suffering under the curse of the Nowak, with bizarre personnel decisions accompanied by poor form on the field,” predicts DC’s starting XI.

Harrisburg City Islanders v New York Red Bulls

You can watch a live stream of the Harrisburg City Islanders hosting New York Red Bulls in US Open Cup Fourth Round action tonight from 7pm on the Red Bulls website.

After being knocked out of the Cup by the City Islanders in 2010, and then by Chicago in 2011 in a road game in which they brought only one regular starter (and the head coach and his assistants stayed home), New York says it is serious about the tournament this year.

They maybe serious but New York will be without Thierry Henry.

In an article about tonight’s game in Harrisburg at US Soccer.com, City Islanders head coach Bill Becher understates about New York, “We’ve seen them and have talked to some people about them. They have a very talented team.”

Becher also said, “We’re pretty relaxed, we played them in 2010. If we can withstand the early surge from them and find ourselves, I think we can compete.”

Harrisburg right back Bilal Duckett says, “As soon as that whistle blows, we’re all equals … until one team proves otherwise.”

A preview from the City Islanders says that while New York showed their dominance in their Third Round 3–0 win over Charleston Battery, Harrisburg showed their grit in their come-from-behind win over New England.

The Patriot News has more background on tonight’s game.

Other Cup News

Sigi Schmid said on Sunday that dark forces at US Soccer are conspiring to prevent Seattle Sounders from winning another Cup while favoring the likes of DC and Kansas City. US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said on Monday, “Sigi’s comments are completely inappropriate and frankly quite offensive. The fact that you lose a few coin flips in a row, that can happen, and that’s what’s happened here. To imply any kind of conspiracy against Seattle or in favor of D.C. or Kansas City is nonsense.”

Of course, Schmid might just be concerned about the possibility of falling to the giant-killing Cal FC (10pm, FSC), the amateur team put together by Eric Wynalda and Nick Webster only four months ago from various MLS castoffs and others who never made it.

Eric Wynalda praises Sigi Schmid in this post at Sporting News. Schmid was instrumental in scouting Wynalda when he was a high school player. “That was the very beginning of my career. If there was any lesson I ever learned from Sigi Schmid, trust your instincts. Never give up on people and never stop looking. Because they’re out there.”

The Michigan Bucks, the PDL side that defeated Chicago Fire, and the Dayton Dutch Lions, the USL PRO side that defeated Columbus Crew, will meet tonight in the Fourth Round.

Kansas City’s Peter Vermes says he will put out the best possible XI against Colorado Rapids.

Women’s Soccer

All White Kit, The Equalizer, and Sports Myriad have come together to produce a North American Power Rankings for women’s soccer that’s composed of WPSL Elite and W-League teams. The Philadelphia Fever didn’t make the cut.

US

Ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Soccer America rates the 41 players who have worn the USMNT jersey in the six friendlies played so far in 2012.

Livestrong Stadium will be the site of the World Cup qualifier against Guatemala on October 16. Presumably, that match will be available on TV.

The Goalkeeper remembers the USA’s 3–2 win over Portugal at the World Cup in South Korea, which happened ten years ago today.

Elsewhere

Italy premier Mario Monti said on Tuesday, “Football should be stopped for two to three years. It is not a proposal by the government but a question I am asking as someone who was passionate when football was still football…I’m not making a proposal, and even less is it a proposal that comes from the government, but it’s a desire that sometimes I feel inside me: That it would really benefit the maturity of us Italian citizens if this game was completely suspended for two to three years.” Monti’s comments come on the heels of yet more arrests in the latest match fixing scandal in Italy, including including Lazio captain Stefano Mauri.

Spain has signed a seven-year deal to stage the Supercopa competition in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium.

The Guardian’s animated history series on the countries playing in Euro 2012 continues with a look at Germany.

8 Comments

  1. Looking forward to tonight’s Cal FC – Seattle game on FSC. Can’t believe they are showing that game!!

  2. James "4-3-3" Forever says:

    Steven Goff ‏@SoccerInsider
    Wow, ESPN RT @bychrisjenkins: Host on “Mike and Mike” just asked Lalas how Messi will fare in Euro ’12. Turns out, Argentina’s not in Europe

    LOLOL. 10/10 story.

  3. Andy Muenz says:

    Any word of a live stream of tonight’s DC-Union game?

    • James "4-3-3" Forever says:

      Live stream is a no go.

      • In today’s day and age its hard to believe that a live stream won’t happen between two east coast professional teams that are rivals. I know the location plays a part but how hard is it really to make it happen. I am sure many of us would pay a nominal fee to see it. I know I would.

      • Can’t imagine how hard/expensive it would be to get a video camera hooked to the Internet and just giving you a panning back-and-forth shot of the pitch.

      • Can’t we have the PSP livestream chat going for tonight? If none of the PSP writers are going maybe you can ask on bigsoccer.com whether anyone can keep us updated. On the SOB page there is thread for folks intending to travel down; maybe one of those can report back real-time.

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