First Round Pairings Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

All 32 lower division teams will enter the tournament in the first round. First-round pairings were determined by dividing the clubs geographically into eight groups of four, with match-ups within each group determined by random draw.

*"The People's Game" latest podcast from KPFK that includes me talking about the U.S.-England game the morning after the night before is here.

*Univision said today about four million viewers - double the 2006 figures despite the time similarity - watched the opening game of the World Cup Friday.

*The Ventura County Fusion's first-ever U.S. Cup appearance was short - they lost to the Arizona Sahuaros Tuesday night up the coast.

I couldn't resist posting this if only because these are the only pictures I'm likely to see of an England captain (that's the late great Bobby Moore, for those who don't know) hoisting the World Cup trophy (ahem) this year: Life.

By TRAVIS CLARK

U.S. Soccer's knockout tournament is officially back. After two months of intermittent play-in matches between a handful of MLS matches, the tournament proper began between a number of amateur and second/third division clubs in action.

Perhaps the only upset emerging from Tuesday night's opening-round matches was the triumph of USL-2 side Richmond Kickers, winners over USSF D-2 side Crystal Palace Baltimore 1-0.

CHICAGO (June 2, 2010) – U.S. Soccer has announced the groupings for the first two rounds of the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which kicks off with first-round matches on Tuesday, June 15, around the country.

All 32 lower division teams will enter the tournament in the first round. First-round pairings were determined by dividing the clubs geographically into eight groups of four, with match-ups within each group determined by random draw.

It's been a couple of days since the last Aztex home game, and it's still June, so that means it must be time for: another Aztex home game! Austin will host the PDL's DFW Tornados at 7:30 tonight, Tue. Jun. 15, at House Park.

This game will be Austin's first in the the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

CHICAGO (June 16, 2010)

Five matches went into extra time and one concluded in penalty kicks as 16 teams advanced to the second round of the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The first-round winners will face off in the second round on June 22, where eight teams will advance to face the eight qualified Major League Soccer teams June 29 or 30.

There aren't any state teams in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this year, but Wisconsin players still made an impact in the first round of the 97th annual tournament Tuesday night.

Former UW-Milwaukee goalkeeper and assistant coach Brad Swenby (Muskego) made a huge save in a shootout as the amateur Arizona Sahuaros got past the Ventura County Fusion 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 tie in Ventura, Calif.

A small crowd was on hand for the midweek opener of the 2010 U.S. Open Cup at House Park Tuesday evening. I can't find an official attendance number, but I'd guess between 1,000 and 1,500. Those that made it out, however, were treated to a return to scoring form for the Red & White, Jamie Watson in particular.

That's the kind of Aztex team we wanted to see! In the midst of a bounty of World Cup group-stage matches, the 2,143 fans came out to see their local boys - and potential future national team players - at House Park last night. The play was good, and the atmosphere was exciting: we were on hand to witness Maxwell Griffin's hat trick, the first in team history.

The Aztex return to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play on Tuesday, June 22, hosting the Arizona Sahuaros at House Park at 7:30 PM.

The Sahuaros, who from what I can tell aren't exactly in a particular league this year, got to this second round in Austin by beating the PDL's Ventura County Fusion after extra time and penalties last week.

Italy and Cannavaro are done: Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro, 36, has likely played the last World Cup game of his career (AP Photo).

Uninspired Italy were deservedly shown the World Cup door by Slovakia today while New Zealand snatched a third consecutive draw against Paraguay to remain undefeated, but also winless in the group.

Better late than never for this match report, I hope. It was a good game, another U.S. Open Cup win for the Aztex, and they're on to face Chivas USA in the third round next Tuesday.

Here's a brief rundown of post-match coverage:

• Peri Marosevic's Hat Trick Pricks Sahuaros - AustinAztex.

AustinAztex.com: Aztex Move Up to MLS Competition in Open Cup Round of 16

After defeating the PDL's DFW Tornados and the amateur Arizona Sahuaros, the Austin Aztex get a change of both competition and scenery in the 2010 U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.

With two straight home games to start the tournament in the books, the Aztex are finally forced to hit the road for the round of 16 matchup against the MLS' Chivas USA.