The 99th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will sport a new format this season which will included all 1st, 2nd and 3rd division pro men's teams in the US. It has also changed the rules to allow teams in the first 4 rounds of the competition a 50% chance to host the event if they [...]

U.S. Soccer Communications
The 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup begins May 15, and with the 99th edition comes a multitude of changes. For lower-division teams, the most significant is the random selection process for determining home teams from the first round through the quarterfinals.
In previous years, all teams pursued this opportunity through a bidding process.

USL PDL Open Qualifying Change

According to the Kitsap Pumas (linked above) they automatically qualify for the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup since they won their division. Joining them would be the Portland Timbers U-23 side, as they were the best remaining American team.

Other qualifiers based on last year's standings in the PDL (and assuming that this is true for all PDL divisions) would be the Michigan Bucks, Chicago Fire, Des Moinse Menace, Real Colorado Foxes, Long Island Rough Riders, Reading United, MPS Portland Phoenix, New Hampshire Phantoms, Carolina Dynamo, Northern Virginia Royals, Laredo Heat, Chivas El Paso Patriots, Mississippi Brilla, Central Florida Kraze (now Orlando City U-23), Fresno Fuego, Ventura County Fusion

Now that would be 18, so I may be jumping the gun.

Seattle Sounders players vote to recognize their vision of the MVP and Defender of the Year. This differs slightly from recognition given by Sounder at Heart in that here there are awards for Offensive, Defensive and Young Players of a given season. Still there is a certain overlap.

Osvaldo Alonso's performance in 2011 earned him recognition from both his teammates and readers here.

In the Championship Match of the Pennsylvania Open Cup, to be contested this Sunday, December 11, 2011, 2:00pm, West Chester United will host Salone FC. The Cup winner will represent Eastern Pennsylvania in regional play this spring for a berth in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match will be contested on the turf field next to the Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester PA.

There's a little problem with our format here of providing a quick recap and then a post that is just the data, an attempt to remove the emotion and review the game based on that alone. When a team makes history the emotion is a major part of it. The rush from the glory of victory is still there.

Sean Johnson -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
The Chicago Fire spent a large portion of Tuesday's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup simply attempting to endure Seattle Sounders FC's frequent attacks and possession.
It was only a matter of time before the Sounders would strike, and Fredy Montero provided the winner in the 77th minute to lead Seattle to a 2-0 win over the Fire in front of an Open Cup-record crowd of 35,615 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Frank Klopas -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
Chicago Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas will be a part of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in a different light this Tuesday when his Fire take on two-time defending champion Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field.
Klopas capped off the Fire's inaugural 1998 MLS season with the game-winning goal during Chicago's Open Cup win over the Columbus Crew.

Monday, October 3rd 8PM EDT – 5PM PDT Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final Preview Guests: Frank Klopas General Manager & Head Coach of the Chicago Fire Arlo White Play-By-Play Voice of the Seattle Sounders NASL Playoff Segment: Re-Capping the ...
Visit http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com for the rest of the story.

Here is a preview of tomorrow's big US Open Cup between the Seattle Sounders and the Chicago Fire that I wrote for SBNation.com. I'm taking the Sounders tomorrow to win their third straight Cup, who do you all have?

On the latest edition of the Major League Soccer Talk Podcast : This Week in US Soccer, your hosts (the Chris and Chris of American soccer) bring you a view of the beautiful game from an American and regional perspective. The crew starts off with an array of MLS and Yanks Abroad news, before analyzing Jurgen Klinnsman's second roster of callups for the USMNT.

The two semifinal matches of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup were played in Chicago and Seattle Tuesday night. The Chicago Fire defeated the upset-minded D3 Richmond Kickers by a narrow 2-1 score before almost 9,000 partisan Chicago fans. In the latter match, the Sounders defeated FC Dallas, 1-0, earning the opportunity to host the [.

Dominic Oduro -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- It was not the smoothest of performances for the Chicago Fire. But the home side did its job on Tuesday in topping the USL Pro's Richmond Kickers, 2-1, in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Toyota Park.

Frank Klopas -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The four-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion Chicago Fire have touted their best available lineup throughout this year's tournament.
The same cannot be said for some other MLS squads, and you only have to look at the Fire's 4-0 quarterfinal win over a reserve-laden New York Red Bulls side on July 12 to come to that conclusion.

The Richmond Kickers suffered a heartbreaking end to the 2011 USL PRO campaign Saturday night, conceding a 3-0 loss to Orlando City in the American Division Finals. Orlando defenders Luke Boden...
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Monday, August 29th 8PM EDT - 5PM PDT
2011 USL PRO CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL PREVIEW
Guests: Brian Keyser PA Announcer for the Harrisburg City Islands
Clifford Alejos Blogger and Supporter of Orlando City S.C.
NASL Segment: Reviewing the Weekend of games
2011 LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW
Tavio Palazzolo of The Cup .

It's getting very interesting in the 2011 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as former Champions are making noise while the current two time defending champion Seattle Sounders are also looking to add on to their success in the second oldest cup competition in the world. Alot of action and domination in all four matches.

For the second straight U.S. Open Cup game, the Richmond Kickers (the only non-MLS club left) beat an MLS team. This time the Kickers went into Livestrong park and came away victorious with a 2-0 win...
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Josip Mikulic -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
Between the play-in matches and an opening-round game, the Chicago Fire have posted more victories in the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (three) than they have during the MLS regular season (two).
Fire personnel have stated on more than a few occasions that they are taking this year's Open Cup seriously, and they hope to advance past the quarterfinals when they host their fellow MLS side New York Red Bulls on Tuesday at Toyota Park.

2011 Women's World Cup USA Vs Brazil Quarterfinals Post Game Show
Sunday, July 10 1:30PM EDT - 10:30AM PDT
Guests: Jeff Kassouf Women's Soccer Expert, Bret Leuthner Sky Blue FC Radio Announcer, World Cup Buzz Women's writter Haley Thaxton
NOTE: Start time will be pushed back if match goes into extra time and or Penalties

Feuerstein's Fire Episode #65
Monday, July 11th 8:00PM EDT - 5:00PM PDT
Guests: Darius Shirzadi Founding member of Project GOAL in Rhode Island
NASL Segment: Re-capping the weekend of matches
Red Bull Hour: Re-Capping the Home Match against Rivals DC United

2011 Women's World Cup USA Semi-Finals Post Game Show
Wednesday, July 13 2:00PM EDT - 11:00AM PDT
NOTE: To Be Determined

2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinal Review Show
Thursday, July 14th 8:00PM EDT - 5PM PDT
Guest: Tavio Palazzolo of The Cup .

I won't bash the bidding process to host games today that the USSF has in place for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, I will at least let you all know who could be hosting the semifinal matches. The USSF released the information today and as expected a couple teams did the right thing and bid well enough to get the USOC games on their home turf.

After heading home in the middle of their four match road trip earlier this week, the New York Red Bulls took on their first opponents in the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup -- FC New York.

This would be the first time since 1999 when this club, either as the MetroStars or Red Bulls, would face a side from the five boroughs.

Most of you know I'm a big backer of improving the US Open Cup. It seems like each year we all get into how to improve this old tournament. I call it old because it is and because of how it is structured.

Anyways, Jeremiah Oshan over at SBNation (cheap plug on my part), had a great post yesterday about how to improve the USOC.

Looking to make a statement and advance in this years U.S. Open Cup, the Richmond Kickers shocked fromer MLS Champions Columbus Crew on Tusday. Leading the way was fan favorite and goal scorer...
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The Chicago Fire endured a slow start and defeated the USL Pro's Rochester Rhinos, 1-0, on Tuesday in a third-round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, N.Y.
Fire forward Diego Chaves netted the game's lone goal as Chicago advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Diego Chaves -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire take a short detour from their MLS slate when they take on the USL Pro's Rochester Rhinos on Tuesday in third-round action of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, N.

Richmond, VA – (Monday, June 27, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers face the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer on Tuesday, June 28 in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is slated for...
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CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship Final USA Vs Mexico Post Game Show
Saturday, June 25th 11:30PM EDT - 8:30PM PDT
Guests: Matt Conroy of The Vipers Nest joins me.
Note: Start time can be pushed back if match goes into Penalty shootout

Feuerstein's Fire Episode #63
Monday, June 27th 8:00PM EDT - 5:00PM PDT
Guests:To Be Determined
NASL Segment: Re-capping the week of matches
Red Bull Hour: Re-Capping the away matches at the Seattle Sounders & Chicago Fire

2011 Women's World Cup USA Vs North Korea Post Game Show
Tuesday, June 28th 2:30PM EDT - 11:30AM PDT
Guests: Jeff Kassouf Women's Soccer Expert & Bret Leuthner Sky Blue FC Radio Announcer

2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round 3 Proper Review Show
Thursday, June 30th 8:00PM EDT - 5:00PM PDT
Guest: Tavio Palazzolo of The Cup.

Top Five Smolderings for Friday, June 24th, 2011

1. C.J. Brown returns to Toyota Park

2. Chicago Fire will host potential U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal game

3. Seattle Sounders top New York Red Bulls 4-2 in front of 46,065 at CenturyLink Field

4. Section 8 Chicago announces U.

Seriously. While the majority of the story in the Kitsap Sun was concerned about how this game could move the needle on the other side of the Puget Sound, Waite said:

"Realistically for the good of soccer in the Puget Sound, this game should be played here," Pumas owner Robin Waite said.

When the Pete Fewing led Kitsap Pumas beat the Real Colorado Foxes 3-1 tonight over in Bremerton a derby may have been born. Jeremiah christens it the "Fauntleroy Derby." As West Sound and Seattle meet to advance from the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Third Round next Tuesday over in Starfire. As noted earlier today, this is going to be a short turn around for Seattle, but at least they are at home.

CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals USA Vs Jamaica Post Game Show
Sunday, June 19th 5:00PM EDT - 2:00PM PDT
Guests: Earl Reed of MLS Talk joins me.
Note: Start time can be pushed back if match goes into extra time

Feuerstein's Fire Episode #62
Monday, June 20th 8:00PM EDT - 5:00PM PDT
Guests:Geoff Reid: Philadelphia Union supporter
NASL Segment: Re-capping the week of matches
Red Bull Hour: Re-Capping the away match at the Portland Timbers

CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi-finals Post Game Show
Sunday, June 19th Midnight EDT - 9:00PM PDT
To Be Determined if USA Advances to second Semi-Final:

2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round 2 Proper Review Show
Thursday, June 23th 8:00PM EDT - 5:00PM PDT
Guest: Tavio Palazzolo of The Cup.

Gaston Puerari -- Getty ImagesThe Chicago Fire transferred Uruguayan forward Gaston Puerari to Club Atlas, the team announced Wednesday.
"Club Atlas was very keen on Gaston, and we made the decision to accept the offer based on the best interest of building our club," Fire interim head coach and technical director Frank Klopas said in a statement.

Sixteen teams have already been eliminated from the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after the first day of play, but our Pickem contestants are still going strong. Our current leader is bmvaughn who promised he'd go for the early points with a pile of lower division picks. But not as many lower division picks as Jeff Kusowski who started at the cheapest teams and kept picking until he ran out of cash.

What a great night of action in the first round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as the lower levels showed what they are made. Some sides got their first action in this domestic club competition and dominated their opponents, but the one match that was very exciting to follow was in Western Pennslyvania.

Three weeks ago the Phoenix Sport Club Majors team punched their ticket as one of the USASA entries in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Tournament. Tonight they get to show their stuff, as they travel to Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, NY for a first round tilt with the Rochester Raging Rhinos.

The match kicks off at 7:35pm and is being streamed live on Rochester ESPN 950 radio.

Richmond, VA – (Monday, June 13, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers open the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 14, hosting the Dayton Dutch Lions at Richmond City Stadium at 7:00 p.m. Should...
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Due to high demand (1 person asked) we are going to run a 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup contest. The unique nature of this tournament makes an NCAA style bracket is impossible; hosts aren't known throughout the tournament and we still don't know match-ups for the eight MLS teams that will enter the contest in the Third Round.

CONCACAF Gold Cup USA Vs Panama Post Game Show
Saturday, June 11th 8:00PM EDT - 5:00PM PDT
Guests: Robert Hay & Earl Reed of MLS Talk joins me.

Feuerstein's Fire Episode #61
Monday, June 13th 8:00PM EDT - 5:00PM PDT
Guests:Philippe Germain Montreal Impact Play-By-Play Man discusses Canada's Gold Cup tournament
NASL Segment: Re-capping the week of matches
Red Bull Hour: Re-Capping the home match against the New England Revolution

CONCACAF Gold Cup USA Vs Guadeloupe Post Game Show
Tuesday, June 14th 11:00PM EDT - 8:00PM PDT
Guest: Earl Reed of MLS Talk joins me.

Once again after two full months of qualifying matches from Major League Soccer all the way down to the National Premier Soccer League, twenty-three spots along with seventeen automatic entrants have been filled for the 2011 Edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

A historical moment came to NPSL as they were allowed four spots, one per conference to enter the first round when they would normally enter thru US Adult Soccer Association qualifying.