Soccer notes
FC Tucson part of expanded 2013 U.S. Open Cup field
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Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comFC Tucson in action against Sporting Kansas City in the first day of the Desert Friendlies in January.
The Premier Development League announced Tuesday that FC Tucson will be among the 68 teams in this year's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The tournament will be staged for the 100th time this year, and will in include teams from all levels of men's soccer in the United States.
"It's fantastic for us," FC Tucson coach Rick Schantz said.
The number of teams will be expanded from 64, with four added slots for the National Premier Soccer League, U.S. Club Soccer and the U.S. Specialty Sports Association.
FC Tucson qualifies because of their second-place finish in the Southwest division last year. They will enter in the first round set for May 14, with the second and third rounds occurring the following two weeks on May 21 and 28. In an increase from 2012, the 2013 U.S. Open Cup champion will a $250,000 cash prize, while the runner-up will collect $60,000. The top NASL, USL-Pro and amateur clubs will each receive a $15,000 prize.
'Fantastic'
This is what Schantz had in mind for his team when they joined the PDL last year.
"It was one of our goals to be in the top two," Schantz said. "Players and teams want to do two things every year: win the PDL championship and qualify for the Open Cup."
"It's fantastic for us," said Schantz.
In a normal first round, a PDL team like FC Tucson would either play another PDL team or an amateur side. This year is a little different. Two new USL-Pro sides will enter in the first round rather than the second.
Since pairings are often decided by region, it is possible FC Tucson could open against one of those two new USL-Pro teams: Phoenix FC.
"It would be the greatest thing going," said Schantz of the possible match-up.
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2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
- May 7 - Play-in round
- One NPSL team will take on the US Club Soccer representative, while a second NPSL team faces the USSSA representative.
- May 14 - First round
- Two winners from play- in round join remaining 30 Adult Council category teams and four USL PRO teams
- USASA: TBA
- NPSL: TBA
- PDL: Carolina Dynamo, GPS Portland Phoenix, Ocean City Nor’easters, Des Moines Menace, Michigan Bucks, Real Colorado Foxes, River City Rovers, Reading, FC Tucson, Portland Timbers U-23s, Sounders FC U23, Ventura County Fusion. United, Austin Aztex, Laredo Heat, Ocala Stampede, Orlando City U23,
- USL Pro: Dayton Dutch Lions, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and expansion sides Phoenix FC Wolves and VSI Tampa Bay FC
- May 21 - Second round
- Eighteen winners from first round join remaining eight USL PRO clubs and six NASL teams.
- USL-Pro: Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Harrisburg City Islanders, Los Angeles Blues, Orlando City, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Wilmington Hammerheads
- NASL: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Minnesota Stars FC, San Antonio Scorpions, Tampa Bay Rowdies
- May 28 - Third round
- Sixteen winners from second round are paired against 16 MLS sides
- MLS: Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City
- June 12 - Fourth round
- Sixteen winners from third round face each other.
- June 26 - Quarterfinals
- August 7 or 21 - Semifinals
- October 1 or 2 - Final
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