Seriously? That dude on the PA at Blackbaud? I think we may have a contender for Christian Miles in the "most annoying man in US soccer with a microphone" sweepstakes. Wow. No time for a full reaction post tonight, but I thought I'd dash off a...

D.C. United won their first Charleston Challenge Cup tonight as they defeated the host Charleston Battery 2-0. Jaime Moreno scored both goals and totaled 5 goals in the three game tournament.

While the excitement of the World Cup has been going on, we can't forget about the excitement of the US Open Cup. US Soccer's version of England's FA Cup has been going on since 1914 and out of sixteen matches only six have gone into extra time. One of those six made it to the round of penalties and so far with all the draws going on in the World Cup, the US Open Cup has a great start.

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at DC United (MLS) July 21st - 7:30pm ET Maryland SoccerPlex - Boyds, MD Charleston Battery (USL-2) at Columbus Crew (MLS) July 6 - 7:30pm ET Columbus Crew Stadium Chivas USA (MLS) at Houston Dynamo (MLS) July 6 - 7:30pm CT Robertson Stadium - Houston, Texas Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) July 7 - 7pm PT Starfire Sports Complex - Tukwila, WA

Miami FC staff is working diligently and against the clock to give the fans a competitive team and while we all hope among the players signed will be a superstar that will make us keep coming back to games, we realize there is also some need for continuity. Here is a list of Players from last year that I think Miami FC needs to keep as the base for this coming year.

The Harrisburg City Islanders checked out of the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday after a 2-0 defeat to D.C. United. This is the second consecutive year that the Islanders reached the quarterfinal of America's oldest soccer tournament and two years in a row the Islanders have been ousted by D.

The Harrisburg City Islanders checked out of the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday after a 2-0 defeat to D.C. United. This is the second consecutive year that the Islanders reached the quarterfinal of America's oldest soccer tournament and two years in a row the Islanders have been ousted by D.

1/7/12 UPDATE: I've updated the list with the information that I've found lately.
One of my goals with my former Wizards updates I do was to keep people updated on how all the former Wizards around the world were doing. Recently I ended up trying to find the former Wizards again. Here is a list of every player listed in the Wizards registry in the media guide, along with Eric Frimpong, who the Wizards drafted but is not listed in the media guide.

Below are a couple of shots from our first two days in Charleston. The first was taken this afternoon at the Buccaneer in downtown Charleston, where United Head Coach Curt Onlafo crowded around the Carolina Challenge Cup with Toronto FC's Preki, Real Salt Lake's Jason Kreis, and Mike Anhaeuser of the Charleston Battery.

By TRAVIS CLARK

For the majority of this winter, it looked like second division soccer in the United States was extinct. Squabbling between the newly-formed NASL and established USL left the second tier hanging in the balance.

On Wednesday, the United States Soccer Federation released the schedule for the 3rd round of the US Open Cup. This is the round where Major League Soccer teams enter the competition. All Games to be played on June 29th. New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) 7 pm ET - Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa.

After some heart pounding matches in the Third Round of the US Open Cup we have our elite eight getting ready to duke it out in the Quarterfinal Round. Once again we saw a tough favorite from the lower levels pushing their MLS Opponents into the Round of Penalties and somehow stopping all three of them to advance.

Two spots in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals will be cemented Tuesday night, as the Columbus Crew look to avoid being upset by the Charleston Battery and the Houston Dynamo and Chivas USA do battle in an all-Major League Soccer quarterfinal.

The Battery outlasted the Chicago Fire in penalty kicks to reach the quarterfinals, but the USL-2 side will likely face a more stern test in the Crew, which has tremendous depth to go with its talent-laden roster.

For the very first time in club history, Chivas USA has qualified for the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup.

Taking on Houston in the quarterfinals -- a club they hadn't beaten in 11 games -- Chivas took an early lead through Justin Braun in the game's fifth minute and never looked back against a reserve-heavy Dynamo side.

USSF announced today that the USL Second Division has received sanctioning for the 2010 season despite having only six active clubs.
The following clubs will compete in USL-2 this season, playing a 24 game schedule with each team playing each other twice at home and twice on the road: Charlotte Eagles, Charleston Battery, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Real Maryland Monarchs, Harrsiburg City Islanders and the Richmond Kickers.

by AVI CREDITOR

Fred's 65th-minute strike provided the Philadelphia Union with a 1-0 exhibition victory over Universidad de Guadalajara Tuesday afternoon.

The midfielder, acquired by Philadelphia in the trade that sent the top allocation spot to D.C. United, took a pass from JT Noone and buried a shot from the edge of the box.

The players enjoyed a day away from training on Monday, as United Head Coach Curt Onalfo gave the guys some down time after Saturday's 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake.

After winning four consecutive preseason matches, the club has been further bolstered by the arrival of midfielder Clyde Simms and fullback Brian Namoff to Charleston.

David Beckham may still recover from his torn left Achilles tendon in time to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2010, but just how much he will be able to contribute remains to be seen.

Beckham underwent successful surgery to repair his torn left Achilles tendon on Monday, and the doctor who conducted the procedure put a six-month timetable on Beckham's return to action.

Don't miss tonight's Carolina Challenge Cup final between D.C. United and the Charleston Battery. The two Coffee Pot Cup rivals will square off at approximately 7:30 p.m local time. If the Black-and-Red win or draw they will hoist the Challenge Cup for the first time in the club's five-year history in the tournament.

Thursday afternoon, the Harrisburg City Islanders announced the signing of local product JT Noone. Noone, as you probably remember, has been a trialist with the Union since shortly after the Superdraft in January. Noone has signed a 21-day contract with the Islanders and the team plans to take him on the road for its two matches against Charleston and Charlotte; he is rumored to be wearing #15.

After being overlooked for so many summers, the United States will have several Premier League clubs coming to North America in July. In addition to Manchester United confirming a tour of North America and Tottenham Hotspur playing a couple of friendlies, Manchester City today announced additional tour dates, while Bolton Wanderers today announced a three-game tour of North America.

Nick Zimmerman has been loaned down to the Harrisburg City Islanders for saturday's U.S. Open Cup match against the Charleston Battery the Upper 90 reports. He is expected to play, as is short term signee J.T. Noone, who will make his debut for the Islanders. Noone is a Harrisburg product and Central Dauphin grad and will likely draw a large crowd to the game as Central Dauphin High School is only minutes away from Skyline Sports Complex.

Nick Zimmerman has been loaned down to the Harrisburg City Islanders for saturday's U.S. Open Cup match against the Charleston Battery the Upper 90 reports. He is expected to play, as is short term signee J.T. Noone, who will make his debut for the Islanders. Noone is a Harrisburg product and Central Dauphin grad and will likely draw a large crowd to the game as Central Dauphin High School is only minutes away from Skyline Sports Complex.

With a the World Cup buzz it's easy to overlook the fact that MLS resumes play this weekend. The Fire travel to New England on Sunday night, with the early injury report being released today.

CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: FW Calen Carr (R quad strain); MF John Thorrington (L quad strain)

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION -- OUT: DF Darrius Barnes (R ankle sprain); GK Preston Burpo (R leg surgery); FW Taylor Twellman (concussion)

Tim Ward is no longer on the injury report but John Thorrington's frustrations continue.

By ANTHONY ZILIS

Chicago Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos made it clear after his team's US Open cup loss to Charleston Battery that his team was more focused on the Superliga Tournament.
The Fire will kick off Superliga action tonight against Morelia at Toyota Park, and will play only in the tournament for the rest of the month.

My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.
After months of demonstrating their stubbornness and inability to compromise, the USL and the breakaway NASL were finally made to come to terms by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF).
More than two long months since I threw in the towel on trying to keep up with the fracas (I followed it myself, but I didn't try to cover it here on the blog), and after plenty of unpleasant bumps along the road, we can now look forward with certainty to a 2010 season of second division pro soccer that will include our own Austin Aztex.

The USL's Charleston Battery will be hosting the 2010 Carolina Challenge Cup where they will be in a preseason tournament with MLS teams Real Salt Lake, DC United and Toronto FC. You can read more about it including ticket information by clicking here.

As part of D.C. United's preseason schedule, the club will be heading to Charleston, South Carolina to compete in the 2010 Carolina Challenge Cup. Hosted by United Soccer Leagues side Charleston Battery, the Black-and-Red are set to compete in the tournament for the fifth time. Aside from Charleston, United are joined by Toronto FC and the reigning MLS Cup champions, Real Salt Lake.

By AVI CREDITOR

Fred's 65th-minute strike provided the Philadelphia Union with a 1-0 exhibition victory over Universidad de Guadalajara Tuesday afternoon.

The midfielder, acquired by Philadelphia in the trade that sent the top allocation spot to D.C. United, took a pass from JT Noone and buried a shot from the edge of the box.

After defeating Santos Laguna 3-2 in Torreon, Mexico on Wednesday night, D.C. United took Thursday to travel back to the States. The club is now in Charleston, South Carolina, where the Black-and-Red will complete the third and final phase of the 2010 preseason. With the opening match of the 2010 MLS regular season only two weeks away (March 27 in Kansas City), Curt Onalfo's men will use their time in Charleston to make final preparations.

By FRANCO PANIZO

The 2010 Carolina Challenge Cup is set to kickoff, and for three MLS teams that means one last chance to tests their players before the (hopeful) start of the 2010 season.

Real Salt Lake, D.C. United and Toronto FC will all join host Charleston Battery for the seventh edition of the tournament, which is played in round robin format.

Still Kicking is away this weekend, joining the jet set, skiing in Cortina d'ampezzo. Ok, not falling for that one? Would you believe he's on the ski hill at Centennial Park? Thought as much. So, once again I find myself as a trialist in Stillkicking's pre-season friendly. Maybe I'll be signed, maybe not.

D.C. United got off to a winning start on Saturday in its opening match of the 2010 Carolina Challenge Cup, while Toronto FC endured a disappointing start.

D.C. defeated Real Salt Lake, 2-1, on the strength of two Jaime Moreno goals, while TFC tied the Charleston Battery, 0-0, in Saturday's doubleheader at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Black-and-Red will participate in their second match of the 2010 Carolina Challenge Cup tonight at Blackbaud Stadium against Toronto FC at 7:00 p.m. United is coming off of a 2-1 victory over the reigning MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake, and the team will look to gain three more points in the Challenge Cup standings.

In D.C. United's second preseason encounter with Toronto FC, the Black-and-Red claimed a 1-0 victory in the second match of their 2010 Carolina Challenge Cup run. The first contest between the two clubs in Bradenton, FL was an innocuous 0-0 draw, but Wednesday's match was the polar opposite.

The game was full of hard challenges, back and forth play, and multiple bookings.

The task was tough, but looked attainable on multiple occasions for the Columbus Crew.

The Crew needed to win in Mexico to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, and looked capable of doing so after taking a 1-0 lead just before halftime and tying Toluca 2-2 in the second half to even the overall series.

The task was tough, but looked attainable on multiple occasions for the Columbus Crew.

The Crew needed to win in Mexico to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, and looked capable of doing so after taking a 1-0 lead just before halftime and tying Toluca 2-2 in the second half to even the overall series.

With one final match remaining in the 2010 preseason, D.C. United Head Coach Curt Onalfo took time after Friday's training session to speak with BTB. For the last two months the Black-and-Red have traveled to Florida, Mexico, and South Carolina perfecting their collective craft ahead of next week's MLS regular season opener in Kansas City.

D.C. United captured their first ever Carolina Challenge Cup on Saturday night by defeating the Charleston Battery 2-0 in the third and final match of the competition. United has competed in the preseason tournament five times, but this most recent installment marks the first time that the Black-and-Red have claimed silverware.

Blog: Behind the Badge United wins the 2010 Carolina Challenge Cup D.C. United captured their first ever Carolina Challenge Cup on Saturday night

D.